PROJECT BRIEF

1. IDENTIFIERS:PROJECT NUMBER: PO 69847PROJECT NAME: Jordan: Conservation of Medicinal and

Herbal PlantsDURATION: 5 yearsIMPLEMENTING AGENCY: World BankEXECUTING AGENCY: To be determinedREQUESTING COUNTRY OR COUNTRIES JordanELIGIBILITY: Jordan ratified CBD in 1992GEF FOCAL AREA BiodiversityGEF PROGRAMMING FRAMEWORK: OPl, OP132. SUMMARY:The global environmental objective is to improve conservation and sustainable use of medicinal and herbal plants of global importance at the national and the local levels for the selected areas through achieving the following objectives over and above the Baseline Scenario: (i) establishing a framework for medicinal and herbal plant biodiversity conservation and management, (ii) strengthening institutions and implementing a coordination program, (iii) promoting in situ conservation and sustainable use of M/H plants in 3 pilot sites, and (iv) designing and implementing income generation activities. GEF will fund the incremental costs of the first three components. The GEF support is justified by the global significance of M/H plants in Jordan the existing threats to ecosystem integrity and species survival and the commitment of the government and NGOs to implement the project. The GEF-support will enable the project to target globally valued and threatened M/H plants and to a limited extent address international water conservation issues, reduce the threat of desertification and increase carbon sequestration The GEF conservation alternative will build on the baseline scenario of ‘without project intervention’, by strengthening conservation management in the pilot sites. The GEF support would enable key information to be gathered on the socio-economic and biological data of in-situ M/H plants harvested, their status and their habitats. This information can be used to derive appropriate management practices within the pilot sites. The GEF alternative would: (a) monitor and evaluate the status of key rare/threatened medicinal and herbal plants, (b) actively link the development of guidelines for conserving M/H hotspots and the sustainable management and harvesting of M/H plants with community needs and commercial demands, (c) integrate pastoral farming with the sustainable use of rangelands to reduce the threat of wind and water erosion and with the long-term aim of increasing the presence of M/H plants, (d) capture traditional knowledge and expand knowledge of the botany of M/H plants and their use in Jordan, (e) support the development of training programs in scientific institutes and for farmers that focus on sustainable management and harvesting techniques, and (f) promote public awareness on a national scale through financing formal and informal education and public awareness initiatives in all aspects of M/H plant conservation.3. COSTS AND FINANCING (MILLION US$): GEF Project: 5.00

PDF: 0.35Subtotal GEF: 5.35

Co-financing: IA:Other International: 5.00Government of Jordan: 2.50PrivateSubtotal Co-Financing: 7.50

Total Project Cost: US$12.85

1

4. ASSOCIATED FINANCING (MILLION US$)5. OPERATIONAL FOCAL POINT ENDORSEMENT:Name: Dr. Kamal KhdierOrganization: Ministry of Planning P.O Box 555

Amman, Jordan

Title: Director, Water, Environment and Tourism DirectorateDate: June 2002

6. IA CONTACT : Laurent MsellatiTel. 202-473-4129Fax: 202-473-1981 / 1609/ 1374Internet: Lmsellati@worldbank.org

2

A. Project Development Objective

1. Project development objective: (see Annex 1)

The Development Objective of the proposed project is to improve the livelihood and health of rural communities through the conservation, management, and sustainable use of medicinal and herbal (M/H) plants for human and livestock needs in specific areas of Jordan while ensuring effective in-situ protection of threatened habitats and ecosystems.

Project Global Objectives: (see Annex 1)

The global environmental objective is the improved conservation and sustainable use of medicinal and herbal plants (several of which are rare and endemic, and thus of global importance) at the national and the local levels for the selected areas through achieving the following objectives over and above the Baseline Scenario: (i) establishing a framework for medicinal and herbal plant biodiversity conservation and management, (ii) strengthening institutions and implementing a coordination program, (iii) promoting in-situ conservation and sustainable use of M/H plants in 3 pilot sites, and (iv) designing and implementing a communication strategy.

2. Key performance indicators: (see Annex 1)

The key performance indicators directly linked to the above development objectives are:

1. Capacity established to sustainably manage the wild genetic resource base of M/H plants.2. Threat to M/H species are diminished and key biodiversity areas are identified and protected.3. A database, gene pool and monitoring system are established and operational.4. Active participation of communities in conservation, management, and income generating programs is

established.5. Public awareness, including environmental education of medicinal and herbal plants improved.

B. Strategic Context

1. Sector-related Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) goal supported by the project: (see Annex I)Document number: 19890-JO Date of latest CAS discussion: November 12, 1999

1a. Global Operational Strategy/Program Objective addressed by the project

The World Bank Country Assistance Strategy CAS of Jordan emphasizes a development agenda based on the core themes of (i) accelerating economic growth, emphasizing higher level of private investment, export development and tourism; (ii) promoting human development; (iii) undertaking public sector reforms; and (iv) improving water resource management and environmental protection. The proposed project is fully consistent with the CAS as it would support theme (iv) through micro-catchment initiatives, more effective wastewater use and the protection of endangered species and fragile eco-systems. It would also contribute to the other themes with varying degrees through the promotion of sustainable use and management of medicinal and herbal plants and their further processing. Specific project objectives and issues that support the CAS goals are (a) contribution to social and rural development through capacity building; (b) poverty reduction through income generating activities and better management of high demand natural resources; and (c) involvement of the private sector.

The project also covers many goals highlighted in the World Bank Middle East and North Africa Region Strategy Paper. The target for regional development is to focus on five areas namely: 1. Public sector efficiency; 2. Private sector development; 3. Education; 4. Water; and 5. Gender. The M/H project follows the MNA strategy in most if not all aspects. In Jordan, women are intimately involved in the collection and use of medicinal and herbal (M/H) plants. One aim of the project is to train women (and

other disadvantaged people) in the conservation and sustainable management of M/H plants, both in-situ and ex-situ, and to use these plants to manufacture products that will bring them greater benefit. The public sector, in particular NCARTIT of the MOA, will assist the women and other community groups as well as the private sector in demonstrating various techniques, including water harvesting and waste water use, to improve the management and use of M/H plants. Again, part of the project covers formal and informal environmental education, especially relating to M/H plants, the establishment of a database and gene pool for such plants and micro-credit to encourage cottage industries base on these sustainable resources.

The proposed project also supports MNA Rural Development Strategy through (i) promoting sustainable use of natural resources, and (ii) attenuating vulnerability of rural populations.

1.(b) GEF Global Operational Strategy/Program Objective Addressed by the Project

Jordan signed the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992. Thus, the objectives of this project are in line with the policy of GOJ and are fully consistent with the GEF Operational Program 1 on “Arid and Semi-Arid Zone Ecosystems.” Whereas the main thrust of the project is biodiversity conservation, the project has vital components and cross links to land degradation and desertification. In addition the project is consistent with the GEF Operational Strategy for Biodiversity, as well as Article 8 (j) of the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) regarding the protection and conservation of medicinal and herbal plants, capacity building and protection of indigenous knowledge. Also, the project’s objectives are consistent with the GEF Operational Program 13 “Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity Important to Agriculture.” This project will: compile a data base of all medicinal and herbal plants in Jordan; protect areas of endangered and/or useful M/H plants; operate a gene pool for all indigenous M/H plants; demonstrate the sustainable use of the most promising species; encourage the growing of these species, where possible; and undertake applied research into new uses of all M/H plants in Jordan. These objectives are elaborated below.

Global Importance.

The flora of Jordan is rich in medicinal and aromatic plants, as well as herbs and spices, mainly the Umbelliferae, Labiatae and Compositae. Many of them grow in sub-serial or successional communities in various states of ecological development or degradation, and are adapted to arid or semi-arid conditions. Medicinal plants in Jordan are distributed all over the country from the eastern desert to the western highlands and from the semi-arid north to the extremely arid south. The importance of these plants as a source of preventive and/or curative health value has been recognized by local people since time immemorial. A few studies related to the identification of endemic, rare and endangered flora have been carried out in Jordan. An estimated 100 species of endemic plants comprising about 2.5 % of the total flora are recognized. A total of 485 species of medicinal plants, which belong to 330 genera and 99 families, is reported from Jordan (Oran and Al-Eisawi, 1994). The identified medicinal plants are herbs, shrubs and trees. The endemic species include Iris petrana, Cousinia dayi, Plantago maris-mortui, Crucianella transjordanica, Centaurea procurrens, Scrophularia nabataerum, Tamarix tetragyn, and T. palaestina. A preliminary survey by the Royal Society of Conservation of Nature in the Wadi Mujib Reserve identified the presence of rare species including Adiantum capillus-veneris, Sternbergia clusiana, Pistacia atlantica, Caralluma aaronis, Pergularia tomentosa, Equisetum ramosissimum, Crocus moabiticus, Micromeria sinaica (endemic; also on IUCN list), Teucrium leucocladum, Ajuga chamoepytis, A. iva, Lavandula pubescens, and Withania somnifera (new to the area). Endemic species in the Mujib reserve include Withania obtusfolia, Micromeria sinaica, and Crocus moabiticus.

The major difficulties in assessing the importance of medicinal, herbal and aromatic plants and developing a strategy for their conservation and sustainable use are: insufficient knowledge concerning the species that are used, their detailed distribution, how they are collected or harvested, the species in cultivation (by location), the quantities involved in collection, consumption, and the quality and quantity of species traded, etc. Trade statistics are notoriously unreliable as is the identity of material traded under such names as oregano; this covers plants belonging to more than one genus and several species. Some

2

countries e.g. Spain have produced acceptable assessments of the uses and trade in medicinal and aromatic plants, while important surveys for other Mediterranean countries have been prepared under the auspices of the MEDUSA organization1 as part of data gathering regarding the potential for sustainable use of wild species of the region. However, for most parts of the Mediterranean, detailed information is lacking and an overall survey for the region would be a significant contribution towards developing a strategy for this important group of plants. One aim of the project is to establish a database of all M/H plants and to undertake an oral survey of the past and present uses, including the use for and by domesticated animals.

Jordan’s flora is considered rich and diverse due to its location at the junction of three continents, Europe, Asia and Africa. Al-Eisawi (1985) indicated the presence of four bio-geographical regions and thirteen vegetation types. Since time immemorial, medicinal and herbal plants have played important roles including furnishing ecological, genetic, social, cultural, economic, and scientific values (Al-Khalil, 1995; Al-Eisawi and Takruri, 1989). In addition to enhancing health care and rural well being, many M/H plants contribute to reducing soil and water loss as they cover about 20% of the rangeland and forest areas m Jordan. They generate income, particularly for the resource-poor people by providing jobs for women who undertake about half the gathering, processing and marketing of medicinal/herbal plant material. The project will enhance these roles in line with the MNA strategy.

The sector is undergoing major changes. The domestic demand for M/H plants and their extracts increasing and is satisfied through over-harvesting of wild plants, a little cultivation, or by imports, which amount to about US$ 6 million per year, with exports about US$ 0.4 million annually. The project intends to promote the sustainable use of medicinal and herbal plants, through managing the wild plants and by increasing, where possible, the ex-situ cultivation of the high-demand species.

2. Main Sector Issues and Government Strategy:

In June 1998, the General Corporation for Environmental Protection (GCEP), in collaboration with the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), prepared the Jordan Country Biodiversity Study. One of the long-term objectives of this study is to ensure the protection and conservation of the broadest possible range of global biodiversity and its rational use. The proposed project is consistent with the recommendation of the 1998 National Biodiversity Study to carry out extensive work to protect Jordan’s rich diversity of medicinal and herbal plants. The commercialization of medicinal and herbal plants is also recognized as a key component of GOJ’s poverty alleviation and rural development objectives. The project is consistent with the 1996 National Environment Action Plan’s (NEAP) recommendation to improve measures to combat Jordan’s loss of its natural heritage embodied in medicinal and herbal plants.

Environmental law No. 12, article No. 21, of 1995 states that “Regulations shall determine the specifications and conditions that must be found in any natural reserve for wild and marine life or national parks, and the preservation and environmental protection thereof”. The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) is mandated to establish and manage wildlife reserves in Jordan under the supervision of the GCEP. The 1996 Charter of the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) recognizes the importance of conservation and sustainable use of M/H plants to meet agricultural diversification objectives and enhance the efficiency of land and water use. Within MOA, the National Center for Agricultural Research and Technology Transfer (NCARTT) is mandated to conserve medicinal and herbal plant genetic resources, identify cultivation practices, and, where appropriate, seek the cropping of M/H species with commercial value.

1 MEDUSA is an acronym for the ‘Identification, Conservation and Use of Wild Plants in the Mediterranean Region.’ It was formerly established in June 1996 by CIHEAM (Centre International des Hautes Etudes Agronomiques Mediterraneennes) and its constituent organ MAICh (Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania). The Network is financially supported partly by the Directorate General 1 of the E. U. and partly by CIHEAM.

3

At present, there is little capacity to implement the project’s development objective and no clear mechanism to facilitate effective collaboration and cooperation between GCEP, MOA, MOH, RSCN, other ministries and agencies, the private sector, NGOs, and the users regarding the long-term conservation, management and sustainable use of medicinal and herbal plants in a manner that would fulfill the objectives identified above. Hence, the strong emphasis in the project is on capacity building.

Root Causes of Biodiversity Loss and Barriers Against Sustainable Use.

Overgrazing, arable agricultural expansion, urbanization, and industrialization have resulted in serious threats to M/H species natural habitats. For example, the habitat of the wild saffron Crocus hermenous, which was collected only from a restricted area in Amman, has been replaced by houses, (Al-Eisawi, 1998). A 1998 GCEP study shows that Oryganum syriacum, which was distributed throughout the country, is now confined to a small area east of Jerash mainly because of expanded fruit tree plantations. Other species are becoming rare (Daucus jordanicum) or endangered (Capparis decidua). Genetic loss is occurring through the continuous and accelerated over-harvesting of M/H plants in their diminishing natural habitats. This has resulted in increasing land degradation in several areas. Poor agricultural practices coupled with increasing fragmentation of land holdings2 have resulted in loss of valuable biodiversity. Many medicinal and herbal plants are endangered and some are threatened with extinction.

In particular, there is need to:

identify threatened M/H species of global significance for cultivation trials and in collaboration with farmers identify sustainable cultivation practices, both rainfed, and irrigation;

identify sustainable harvesting guidelines for those M/H species in protected areas that do not lend themselves to cultivation;

establish a mechanism for effective collaboration within and between relevant agencies as well as the public and private sector, and NGOs to increase awareness about M/H plants, their importance to the economy of Jordan and the need to protect these valuable indigenous assets; and

identify specific health and drug policies that guarantee safety and efficacy and acknowledge thecontribution of plant-based medicines ant their traditional use in the primary health care program.

3. Sector Issues to be Addressed by the Project and Strategic Choices:

During project preparation, the PDF-Block B Grant provided an opportunity to obtain preliminary baseline data to: (a) establish a medicinal and herbal plant inventory; (b) estimate the demand and supply of medicinal and herbal plants used for human and livestock healthcare and other needs; (c) compile a database of M/H plants; and (d) list medicinal and herbal species suitable for possible ex-situ cultivation. The information contained in these documents was of considerable help when formulating the sector issues and designing some of the project components.

Sector issues include:

a). Sustainable community-based conservation strategy at the national level: introducing community based management plans for the conservation and use of M/H plants; ensuring that management schemes respond to the plants’ ecological needs and the people’s wishes; recognizing and empowering the role of women in resource use and management; securing community rights over natural resources.

b). Conservation, management and sustainable use of medicinal/herbal plants at the local level: countering inadequate protection and/or management of habitats where medicinal and herbal plants

species are found in the wild, (especially overgrazing by sheep and goats and vegetation clearanceresulting from settlement construction and arable agriculture);

2 The number of land holdings increased from about 400,000 parcels in 1975 to about 650,000 currently with a concomitant reduction in average parcel size from 30.8 dunums (tenth of a hectare) to 24.1 dunums in recent years.

4

offering alternatives to over-harvesting and unsustainable harvesting methods of wild M/H plants bylocal communities and professional collectors for medicinal and culinary needs as well as the increase in national and international trade as a result of booming demand for plant-based medicines;

ensuring farmers’ and nomads’ participation in conservation programs as a key element in community-based conservation and management strategies;

promoting ex-situ cultivation and in-situ enrichment planting of M/H plants.

c). Community awareness and participation at the local level: developing education/awareness programs that link the value of sustainable resource management to

poverty reduction and a better quality of life; confronting the lack of comprehensive market/economic valuation and market intelligence.

d). Legislation: developing guidelines and proposing legislation for quality control and to regulate trade; promoting intellectual property rights for M/H plant information; providing a scientific basis to ensure the proper identity and purity of marketed M/H products.

The project will enhance Government strategy by: (i) identifying cultivation practices for high-demand M/H plants used for human and livestock healthcare and other needs; and (ii) promoting sustainable management systems in selected areas, (Section C2 below), which addresses collection practices, grazing agreements, etc.

The project will facilitate a process of closer collaboration between relevant institutions and organizations such as MOA, especially the Veterinary Department, and MOH to enhance the conservation, management and sustainable use of affordable phytomedicines. The important role that M/H plants and traditional knowledge play in healthcare and culinary practices offers an opportunity to link two key poverty-related indicators: environment and health. The project will support efforts to document and effectively utilize M/H plant’s traditional health care and food preparation knowledge for the benefit of all Jordanians. Such actions offer opportunities for private sector investment as well as developing a national program to conserve and enhance natural resources and cultural heritage. These actions will support community based development and implement the Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD) at community, local and national government levels. In addition, they will strengthen the actions of the community driven development (CDD) and PRSP country-driven programs.

The project will work in 3 different geographic areas covering various vegetation types (see Section C2). This could result in best practices to protect and manage medicinal and herbal plants, which could be replicated to other sites in Jordan and elsewhere in the Middle East Region.

C. Project Description Summary

1. Project components (see Annex 1):

The proposed project components will comprise activities at the national level and at the site-specific level. The key development issues will be addressed in the project components: (1) the limited institutional capacity; (2) the need for a sound policy and action to conserve and use medicinal and herbal plants; (3) the economic costs and benefits and safety issues for M/H plants and products and; (4) the necessity to promote a strategy to expand public awareness in all aspects of M/H plant conservation and use and expand the program outside the project areas.

The various activities to be carried out under these components are outlined in Annex 4 and will be detailed in the Project Brief. GEF will fund the incremental costs of the first three components. Component four is to be funded mainly by GOJ, other donors, and the private sector.

5

Component 1. Institutional Strengthening.

This component focuses on the strengthening of the institutional and technical capacity of key players. Five sub-components are included under Component 1 as follows:

(i). Developing and providing an organizational mechanism for project implementation. A Project Management Unit (PMU) will be established to implement the project. Apart from administration, finance and procurement, the PMU will be charged with monitoring and evaluating the various components and sub-components. This will include a training program to be developed.

(ii). Developing crucial inter-sector links (MOA, MOH, GCEP, NGOs, pharmaceutical industry, consumers, producers) and regulatory instruments. The institutional arrangements will be agreed between the concerned ministries (MOA, MOH, MOP), the government bodies (GCEP and Govemorates) and representatives of producers, consumers and private industry. This may be divided into Technical and Institutional committees covering topics, such as strengthening national policy and regulatory capacity to ensure the smooth running of the project and to facilitate the conservation of M/H plants and their sustainable expansion and use.

(iii). Developing intellectual property rights (IPR) policy and guidelines for indigenous knowledge and use of M/H plants for medical and other purposes by humans and farm animals. A committee will formulate the policy and guidelines. Part of such a committee’s task would be to record oral history of past and present use of M/H plants.

(iv). Establishing standards, safety and efficacy testing, etc. for M/H plants and products. The Bureau of Standards will be involved in this effort to formulate standards for M/H plant products, work out testing methodologies with the pharmaceutical and food industries, agree on safe dosages and award seals of approval for products complying with the standards, etc.

(v). Establishing a national medicinal plants database and plant gene bank that will provide an inventory of Jordan’s medicinal and herbal plant species, distribution, status (common — rare) and herbarium collection. The gene bank will be linked to the global field crop gene bank. This data base and gene bank will act as a store of rare and endangered species and form the basis for propagating such species as well as a source for expanding the commercial production of M/H plants.

Component 2. Pilot-Sites Conservation.

As part of the PDF-B preparation process, various studies were undertaken relating to M/H plants, namely: an inventory; cultivation practices; a database; a socio-economic survey; and an institutional capacity assessment. All these surveys were used when formulating the project and are available as working papers. During the project, these baseline surveys will act as reference points when judging the project’s progress. Similar surveys will be undertaken as part of the monitoring and evaluation process and they will be part of the PMUs function. This component used information from the above surveys to formulate two sub-components covering (i) the in-situ conservation and use of M/H plants and (ii) the ex-situ pilot cultivation of selected M/H plants to relieve in-situ pressure. These are summarized below.

(i) In-situ conservation and sustainable use of M/H plants. During the survey of M/H plants, ten areas were highlighted as potential conservation sites. Initially, it was felt that the project could only handle three areas, based on the institutional capability and available funds, (see Section D 1). The three pilot areas for in-situ conservation are: Wadi Mujib adjacent to the Dead Sea; Madaba covering the central upper slopes of the Rift Valley; and Northern Badia in the Saharo-Arabian bio-geographical zone, close to the border with Syria. These areas cover important sites of M/H plants: other areas can be incorporated into M/H conservation in later periods, based on the experiences gained from these pilot initiatives.

The Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve is a 215 sq. km reserve, adjacent to the Dead Sea, in the central-west region of Jordan. While the reserve is Dept. of Forestry (DOF) land, the DOF has delegated its

6

management to the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN). The rainfall in this reserve ranges from 250 to 350 mm and is a water-stressed and eroded area. Four bio-geographical regions can be found in the Mujib Reserve, namely Irano-turranian, Sudanian, and Transitional Mediterranean. Out of the thirteen vegetation types existing in Jordan, four are present in the reserve containing 396 identified flora and fauna species. These vegetation types are: Non-forest Mediterranean Steppe, Steppe, Wadi Systems, and Water. A vegetation survey, including medicinal plants, was undertaken by the RSCN. Communities inside and outside the reserve graze sheep and goats. Grazing areas and grazing patterns within the reserve were agreed upon by the shepherds and the RSCN and have been followed except during drought. This working relationship can be used as a basis for the identification and conservation of M/H plants and to gather information from shepherds and their families as to the traditional uses of these plants. Such information can be used to formulate management plans for the sustainable use of these resources. Because of the high water stress levels and the incidence of severe erosion, the management plans will incorporate water conservation measures such as micro-catchment and erosion control initiatives including the planting of local M/H shrubs and trees. Individual areas can and should be used for demonstration purposes as well.

The Central Upper Slopes Rift Valley/Madaba. The National Center for Agricultural Research and Technical Transfer (NCARTT) started work in the field of M/H plants two years ago in the Madaba area. Field trials for thyme, cumin, chamomile and other high-demand medicinal, spice and essential oil species have been planted with the objective of identifying sustainable cultivation practices under rainfed condition. Such areas and information will be used as part of the ex-situ sub component. Within this rift valley area, some in-situ ‘Hotspot” sites for the conservation and management of M/H plants have been identified and others will be investigated. The annual rainfall ranges from 300 to 500 mm and, therefore, the area contains different classes of flora (and fauna) compared to Wadi Mujib and Northern Badia. Managing the M/H plants in this area may be somewhat different than in the other two sites because of the greater biomass production and thus, a larger carrying capacity for livestock. Again, demonstration plots will be established to show improved management techniques to local farmers and communities in similar agro-ecological zones.

Northern Badia. This is a highly water-stressed Hammada desert area of Northern Badia (Safawi and Azraq). It belongs to the Saharo-Arabian bio-geographical zone and has an annual precipitation ranging from 50 to 250 mm. All the plants recorded in this area are desert species that can withstand drought and high temperatures. It is inhabited by Bedouin families that use the area for grazing. Safawi Bedouins gather medicinal and herbal plants as they graze their livestock. A few people use some of the area’s shallow wadis for agriculture. The use of medicinal plants for curing certain diseases is very common. These include such plants as Achillea falcata, Matricaria aurea, Thymus bovei, Paronychia argentea, Teucrium polium and Salvia tripola. Medicinal and herbal plants are collected during spring and used through the year. Home gardens are common among the inhabitants of Azraq city where women cultivate, gather and store medicinal and herbal plants for household use. Thus, this area could also be used as a site for ex-situ production. Only 40% of medicinal and herbal plants identified in the PDF-B Inventory of Medicinal and Herbal Plants are frequently used. Various medicinal and herbal plants (e.g. Rheum palaestinum, Foeniculum vulgare, Cyclamen persicum, Pergularia tomentosa, Salvia tripola) were reported either as extinct or as rare, especially in Azraq, but as mentioned above Salvia tripola is used as a medicine by the local people. Hence the need to conserve and multiply such species as this. It is proposed that this in-situ conservation area will be managed by the Badia Research and Development Program (BRDP).

Site community management plans will be developed and implemented to enhance the sustainable use of medicinal and herbal plants in all three areas. This component could include grazing agreements with the local community, water-catchment and harvesting measures, enrichment planting, contour planting with shrubs to reduce erosion and planting at right angles to the prevailing wind with M/H shrubs and trees (including nitrogen fixing perennials) to improve the micro-climate, soil fertility and provide nutritious feed for the animals and preparing guidelines for

7

sustainable harvesting. In addition, income-generating activities will be promoted based on local resources and mitigation measures to relieve population pressures in the project sites will be pursued. As it is proposed that the three sites will be under different agencies, there should be a healthy competition to out-perform one another. However, at the same time there should be cooperation and a constant flow of information and ideas between the agencies. Part of the task for each agency should include: (a) preparation and implementation of site management plans, including development and implementation of appropriate management options and guidelines for sustainable use of medicinal plants and their products, where warranted; (b) piloting of farmer-based cultivation trials for a selected number of threatened and indigenous medicinal species in home gardens, and as boundary and buffer zones in the reserve; and (c) monitoring and evaluation. All these sites will have demonstration components so that lessons learned can be passed on to farmers in the area and in similar agro-climatic zones. Also, the best practices could be transferred to some or all of the other seven sites identified for conservation in the preliminary survey.

(ii) Ex-situ cultivation trials. As mentioned above, trials in the in-situ areas could be used for ex-situ production of M/H plants. Based on the results of the Socio-economic Survey undertaken during the PDF-B phase, villagers/farmers could be identified for on-farm pilot propagation and cultivation trials of medicinal plants to remove pressure on wild populations. This should include pilot cultivation trials of threatened, rare and high demand medicinal and herbal plant used for human and livestock health care, culinary purposes and even species used by the cosmetic industry.

As stated above, NCARTT has started trials under rainfed conditions with thyme, cumin, black cumin chamomile and other M/H plants at their research center at Madaba. Their objective is to demonstrate cost-effective and profitable cultivation methods for various high-demand M/H species that can be reproduced by farmers at minimal cost, and at the same time give added-income, provide increased crop diversification and make better use of available moisture. At present, the farmers provide some land as demonstration plots, but NCARTT plants, cultivates and harvests the various species and takes a percentage of the harvest. However, once the techniques have been thoroughly tested, the farmers should be more than willing to undertake all the activities themselves. In order to promote M/H plants it is envisaged that nurseries will be established, first by the project, but later, private nurseries will be encouraged. Training will be given on project nurseries in the production of M/H seedlings and cuttings. Loans to establish nurseries could be obtained through micro-credit (Component 4).

The private sector has indicated its interest in growing M/H plants. The Rum Agricultural Company based in the Disi area near the Wadi Rum Reserve, has committed to directly contribute to the project by developing trials in already existing irrigated rows in between fruit trees and crop cultivation on its farms. The exact M/H species, cultivation conditions and potential markets need to be identified through interaction with local Bedouins and researchers. It was agreed that the trials will be maintained by the local Bedouin community. In return they will take the bulk of the crop.

Other areas will be identified throughout the country and a plan will be drawn up to extend ex-situ planting over the lifetime of the project. There will be a large demonstration component in all the ex-situ initiatives. This will enable farmers from all over Jordan and beyond to see the sites and the various techniques. Information will be provided to all interested parties including mass-media initiatives. This will be part of Component 3.

Component 3. Public Awareness and Education.

This component would include the development of public education (including school and college curricula) and mass awareness campaigns on the relevance of conserving and managing Jordan’s medicinal and herbal plants and their importance in the country’s biodiversity. It will be carried out in cooperation with NGOs schools, universities, and the private sector. It consists of two sub-components.

(i) Environmental education. The project will work closely with the Ministry of Education to expand environmental education to include information about M/H plants and their importance in Jordan. Schools

8

will be encouraged to establish or expand school nurseries and raise M/H plants for the children to plant at school or take home to kitchen gardens. At the tertiary level, technical colleges and universities will be lobbied to introduce or expand courses in M/H plants and their products. Masters and PhD students will be offered applied research topics in various aspects of M/H plant establishment, tending, harvesting and product manufacture. At the informal level, environmental education will be given to communities. For this, the project will have to train its own extension people and these people can then give training to MOAs extension agents or give courses directly to communities.

(ii) Public awareness. Public awareness covers a whole gamut of activities from producing leaflets, newsletters and reports, providing the mass media, (including radio and TV stations) with information and videos about the project, having articles published in scientific journals, talking to farmers, communities, government and aid agencies and running workshops and training courses for the beneficiaries and prospective clients. As part of this sub-component, emphasis will be given to the needs of disadvantaged groups and women in particular. Fulltime staff will be required in this very important activity and a training program and public awareness initiatives will be outlined by the start of the project.

Component 4. Income Generation Activities: M/H Quality Enhancement, Product Development.

This component will not be funded by GEF.

One of the best ways to conserve plants is to ensure that they have actual or potential economic value. Then farmers will look after them in the wild, want to manage them sustainably and grow them as a cash crop. The purpose of this component is to add value to M/H plants through producing organically grown and certified plants, ensuring proper handling, grading of M/H plants and using the correct processing procedures to ensure quality products. This will be backed up by providing market intelligence to the farmers and producers and searching for new markets and products based on M/H plants. In order to ensure that the disadvantaged, including women, can play an active role in the M/H plant industry (from growing to the finished product), the availability of micro-credit schemes through the Agricultural Credit Corporation (ACC) will be essential. Four sub-components will be included as follows:

(i) Certification of organically grown M/H plants and their products. International certification practices will be obtained and national certification procedures will be based on these practices. Independent certification personnel will be trained and registered and farms will have to comply with laid down procedures in order for their crops to qualify as sites of organically grown and processed products. It is anticipated that they will command a premium price on the market. Thus, part of the job of product promotion is to seek out markets for these products and to advise farmers about opportunities for organically grown M/H plants.

(ii) Standardization of M/H raw materials and processing. This covers a whole range of activities from cleaning the raw material to quality control. Product preparation includes cleaning, grading, labeling and compliance with standards. Processing covers extraction, purification, chemical analysis and quality control. For all these activities standards have to be set, people trained, equipment (from cleaning to chemical analysis) has to be in place and there has to be good market intelligence for the kind and quality of products required. The pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food processing industries should be partners in this sub-component and should be encouraged to research into the making of new or improved products.

(iii) Income generation through product promotion is a vital ingredient for the development of the M/H plant sector. At present, it is estimated that the annual imports of M/H plant products is of the order of US$ 6 million, whereas exports are under $0.4 million. Many of the M/H products that are imported could be produced from indigenous M/H plants. Again, Jordan has some unique M/H plants, but usually these are exported in the unprocessed state, with little value added. Therefore, this sub-component includes providing information on packaging, pricing, processing, marketing opportunities, market niches and general market intelligence for M/H plants and products. Similarly, the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food processing industries should be partners in this sub-component. Training will have to be given in all aspects of promoting and trading goods, including contract and product liability etc.

9

(iv) Obtaining credit for income generating activities is vital, especially for the disadvantaged who have little, if any, collateral as a loan security. Cooperative arrangements with on-going initiatives that aim to provide micro-credit to the poor, including the Enhanced Productivity Program of the Socio-Economic Development Programme, King Abdullah II Foundation; USAID’s Jordanian-US Business Partnerships will be explored. A micro-credit scheme would be established with a revolving fund of up to US$ 1 million from the project through the USDA Rural Community Cluster Development Project (RCCDP) and other potential sources. This fund would be deposited with the selected micro-credit scheme, which would also deal with loan applications. Principally, it will be available to disadvantaged individuals and communities for M/H initiatives. The mechanism for loan guarantees and loan conditions would be clearly advertised. This should be done with community participation.

Component Indicative Costs

(US$M)% of total

Bank financing(US$M)

% of Bank

financing

GEF financing(US$M)

% of GEF

financing1. Institutional Strengthening 2.50 19.50 0.00 0.00 1.30 24.302. Pilot-Sites Conservation 5.50 42.80 0.00 0.00 3.20 59.803. Public Awareness and Education 1.15 8.90 0.00 0.00 0.50 9.304. Income Generation 3.35 26.10 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00PDF-B 0.35 2.70 0.00 0.00 0.35 6.50

Total Project Costs 12.85 100.00 0.00 0.00 5.35 100.00Total Financing Required 12.85 100.00 0.00 0.00 5.35 100.00

2. Key Policy and Institutional Reforms to be Sought:

Key issues of the project will be to promote capacity building through the PMU and through the three agencies managing the pilot sites for the sustainable conservation and management of M/H plants. This will include a strong collaboration between the relevant Ministries (Agriculture, Health, Planning, Education) and government bodies (Governorates, GCEP), universities, the private sector, NGOs and donors. The Steering and Technical Committees should cement this collaboration. Stakeholders will contribute to the conservation, management and sustainable use of M/H plants. A process to validate traditional phytomedicines will be established, building on WHOs traditional medicinal evaluation guidelines. This will be accomplished by paying attention to traditional drugs ascertained to be safe and effective.

3. Benefits and Target Population:

At the global level, benefits will be obtained through (a) the protection of endangered species, (b) the sustainable use of M/H plants and natural habitats, (c) improved agro-pastoral practices, (d) better water management and reduced erosion, and (e) enhanced capacity building of government agencies, research institutes and communities. At the regional level, the project would promote an inter-change of ideas and thus build capacity in dealing with the protection of M/H plants. Also, there would be a gene pool and a source of material to expand the production of endangered, rare or popular M/H species in Jordan and the region.

The primary beneficiaries would be the communities in and around the different project sites. They would benefit from on-farm improvements, clear guidelines for the management of M/H plants, improved marketing channels and alternative sources of income from M/H plants and other natural resources such as honey production. This would include farmers, with a focus on women, as important producers of medicinal and herbal plants in local communities. The health of communities and livestock will improve through the dissemination of reliable information on safety, efficacy and dosage levels of selected medicinal formulations. Global biodiversity would be preserved though the sustainable use of natural resources and rural communities will benefit from enhanced environmental, soil and water management.

10

4. Institutional and implementation arrangements:

The PDF-B grant is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Planning (MOP) and MOA/NCARTT. These bodies have appointed a National Project Coordinator to supervise the implementation of the PDF-B phase. A Project Steering Committee, composed of representatives of the Ministries of Planning and Agriculture, has the mandate to supervise and direct the implementation of the project activities during the PDF-B phase. A Technical Committee composed of representatives of academia, the private sector, and NGOs has the mandate to provide technical guidance. The administration of the PDF-B grant is with the MOP. The key agencies, namely the MOP, MOA, Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and the Environment, MOH, other government bodies, NGOs and the private sector will participate in project implementation.

A five-year period is envisaged for the implementation of this GEF project. Implementation arrangements are currently under review. Proposals made in the PDF-B Institutional Assessment (IA) are as follows:

‘Alternative models for the institutional set up of the full GEF project are examined in the IA. There is no clear choice of a Jordanian institution that can execute all aspects of the project. Based on the weight of evidence gathered, the report recommends that the MOA be the national executing agency for the project, relying upon a National Project Leader in a Project Management Unit (PMU) that receives regular advice and counsel from a Technical Committee that represents the majority of stakeholders. The physical location of the PMU could be determined by asking prospective hosting institutions to prepare and forward their proposals to the Minister of Agriculture and his Project’s Committee for evaluation, selection and establishment once the project is approved’

‘The project will by necessity link several key institutions to address project objectives. In order for the GEF project to be successful under the current NCARTT management, financial backstopping for the project could be contracted to a neutral bilateral or multilateral institution, assuring all stakeholders that a streamlined and internationally acceptable financial process will be in place that follows World Bank regulations for managing project resources. The IA report suggests that three international agencies could assume this role: the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It also looked at the possibility of the private sector and an NGO taking over this responsibility.’

Another alternative, which has not been envisaged under this assessment, is to equip the proposed PMU, based in one of the local institutions, with the relevant TA. The Institutional Assessment further reports that NCARTTs system is slow and unlikely to bring the institutions together to address the project needs; however, one goal of the project could be to reform this system, possibly by modeling it after the one used by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN).

Irrespective of the PMU’s location and executing agency, three agencies will implement activities at the pilot sites, namely BRDP, NCARTT and RSCN.

A well designed monitoring and evaluation system is critical to ensure the project’s timely and successful implementation and to enhance its impact through a systematic analysis of lessons learned and their effective dissemination The project’s M&E would be the responsibility of the PMU. Monitoring will be based on the five baseline surveys already undertaken during the PDF-B phase. Further baseline surveys may be required in Northern Badia and the Upper Rift Valley. The PMU would monitor and evaluate performance annually through conducting beneficiary surveys. In addition, scientific surveys should be undertaken every two years to monitor M/H plants and the farming systems etc. and evaluate changes.

The PMU will design a simple management Information System for M&E, reporting formats for each component and sub-component, including targeted annual performance objectives and monitoring indicators using Annex 1 as the basis. Quarterly reports are required covering the implementation progress, the use of funds and the project’s impact. These reports will be consolidated by the PMU into half-yearly progress reports to be submitted through the MOP to the Bank within two months of the end of each six-month reporting period. These progress reports will also include an implementation plan and a

11

work program for the next six-month period. The format of the reports will be agreed with the Bank. A mid-term review will be carried out to assess overall progress. Lessons learned, with recommendations for improvements, if any, would be used to restructure the project, if necessary.

D. Project Rationale

1. Project Alternatives Considered and Reasons for Rejection:

At present, there has been little or no concerted effort or programs to conserve medicinal and herbal plants in Jordan. The project preparation team considered the following options: (i) intensify the proposed conservation strategy by including more areas for protection and broadening the scope of the project; (ii) using international agencies to run the project; and (iii) adding additional components and sub-components. These alternatives were rejected for the following reasons:

(i) Number of pilot areas. Originally ten (10) sites were proposed as pilot areas. However, given: (a) the lack of capacity and resources; (b) the complexity of initially managing a large number of sites; and (c) the fact that it is the first time that a full-fledged project will address the priority issue of medicinal and herbal plants conservation, point to the conclusion that such an ambitious program has little chance of succeeding. The project needs to focus on a limited number of sites with a large level of expressed community interest and a variety of problems. This could provide a broad range of lessons and achievements for replication. The selection criteria for the three selected sites included: the possible existence of globally significant medicinal plant species; they have representative agro-climate zones; have threatened species that would respond to conservation measures; and have resident communities with their income base mainly from pastoral agriculture. It is expected that the pilot activities to be carried out at these three sites will provide “learning by doing” results, which will allow the transfer of positive management activities to other sites in future and thereby enhance the project’s sustainability.

(ii) Using International Agencies to run the project. At present there is a lack of capacity, finance and mandate for conserving M/H plants in Jordan. Three alternatives, using International Agencies were identified under the PDF-B Institutional Assessment. These alternatives are as follows.

1. “It is debatable whether five years is enough time for this effort to be scaled up to an investment program. In this scenario, the research and investigations on herbal and medicinal plants would continue and the cadre of national institutes would prepare for the challenges of a more development-oriented project by concentrating on capacity building and training. Under this option focusing effort on farming systems that could exploit M/H products would be less intense so as to do more botanical and biochemical investigations of the potentially exploitable biodiversity with the intention of developing many species that can be used as spices, herbs and aromatic income-generating crops for small farmers. If this is the best way forward for Jordan, then ICARDA might make the most suitable agency with whom to partner.”

2. “The economic situation on the farms is extremely serious following three years of drought and the shock of competition facing farmers who have not been well prepared for Jordan’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). If this is the most desirable development philosophy for adoption, UNDP may make the best partner through targeting of poverty alleviation and alternate income generation. Through its network of offices, UNDP is charged with running the Small Grants Program for NGOs and community groups around the world.’

3. “In the GEF context, the World Bank’s primary role is to ensure local sustainability through investment projects. The Bank draws upon its investment experience in eligible countries to promote investment opportunities and to mobilize private sector resources that are consistent with GEF objectives and national sustainable development strategies. The vision of the project in Jordan would be to develop a small number of already tested species (accomplished during Phase I of the Regional Initiative for Dryland Management) with the goal of creating new crop commodities that would contribute to a restructuring of dryland agricultural systems - substituting higher value and more intensely managed herbal and medicinal plants for barley, wheat and lentil. This emphasis would seek out more

12

entrepreneurial farmers and making large quantities of a few species available for marketing as new dryland crop alternatives. This approach would need to develop potential new species for the pipeline of new crops, but the main thrust would be to prove that market demands inside and outside Jordan can be partially satisfied by this development effort. GTZ is the best agency to align the herbal and medicinal plants project towards an investment project in the future.”

It is GOJ and Bank practices that existing country institutions should be chosen in order to build-up local capacity and to ensure the continuity of the initiative after the project ends. Therefore, these three alternatives were rejected. In addition, the suggested options of RSCN and the Department of Forestry/MOA as executive agencies were explored. These options were also rejected because RSCNs experience in the production of medicinal and herbal plants has only been acquired on a very small scale and DOF is already over committed.

Another option explored is: having a PMIJ, with strong technical assistance. Such a PMU would represent a powerful instrument for sharing experiences, transferring state of the art knowledge, and contributing to capacity building and strengthening of private and public institutions, which would better perform project implementation.

The PMU option was selected in order to maximize organizational, managerial efficiency, transfer knowledge promote sustainability; prevent institutional overlapping; and optimize participation of crucial actors in the area of M/H plant conservation and management.

(iii). Additional Components and Sub-Components. The following components and sub-components were originally envisaged: a research component; a medicinal and herbal plant conservation policy initiative; additional socio-economic surveys versus updating of the ones already undertaken during preparation, etc. These proposed components, while useful, would, under the present conditions, have added only a marginal contribution to the expected outcomes, while adding more burdens to the management and greater expenditure.

2. Major Related Projects Financed by the Bank and/or Other Development Agencies (completed, ongoing and planned).

Sector Issue Project Latest Supervision (PSR Ratings (Bank-financed projects only

Implementation Progress (IP)

Development Objective (DO)

Bank FinancedImproved Agriculture Practices Jordan - Agriculture Sector Technical

Support Project (ASTSUP) (P00532 l-LN.38l 8-LO)

S S

Biodiversity Conservation Second Tourism Development Project (JO-PA35997, $44 million, under implementation)

S S

Strengthening of RSCN and Conservation of the Dana Wildlands (JO-UN20482, GEF/UNDP funding, Bank execution, completed)

HS HS

Medicinal and Herbal Plants Conservation and Management

Sri Lanka Conservation and Sustainable Use of Medicinal Plants Project (P035828, GEF TF 028070, approved Dec. 18,1997, $5.07 million, under implementation)

S S

13

Sector Issue Project Latest Supervision (PSR Ratings (Bank-financed projects only

Implementation Progress (IP)

Development Objective (DO)

Ethiopia Medicinal Plant Conservation, Management and Sustainable Use Project (ET-PE-52315/ET-GE-35147, approved Feb. 15, 2001, $9.053 million, under implementation)

S S

Ghana Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation (NSBC) Project (PO6768S-LEN-BBGEF, $ 7.6 million, under implementation)

Other Development AgenciesUNDP/GEF - Medicinal and Herbal Plants

Egypt - Conservation and Sustainable Use of Medicinal Plants in Arid and Semi-Arid Ecosystems (EG/G3-/00, $9.053 million, under implementation)

UNDP/GEF-Agro Biodiversity in Agriculture

MNA Regional Use of Dryland Agro-Biodiversity Project (ongoing)

ICARDA - Improved arid land management

Initiative for Collaboration to Control Natural Resource Degradation of Arid Lands in the Middle East.

IFAD/ICARDA - Improved rangeland management

Rangeland Management in Faisaliy and Buseira Area

P/DO Ratings: HS (Highly Satisfactory), S (Satisfactory), U (Unsatisfactory), HU (Highly Unsatisfactory)

3. Lessons Learned and Reflected in Proposed Project Design:

This is the first fully fledged project in Jordan focusing on the Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants. Hence, lessons learned from experience gained elsewhere in this sector; and through community-driven development projects in general will be incorporated into the project. These lessons include: (a) the project design should include technical and stakeholder reviews before it is finalized, and (b) clearly defined goals and objectives are essential to focus the project efforts, monitor progress, and to demonstrate impacts.

Important lessons emerging from ongoing medicinal and herbal plant projects and community based natural resources management projects are or will be used to develop this initiative. This knowledge will deepen through information sharing, study tours and staff exchanges throughout project preparation and implementation. The principal lessons from individual M/H projects considered by this project are as follows:

Jordan: Conservation of the Dana Wildlands and Strengthening of the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) (GEF/World Bank/UNDP). The key factor behind the success at Dana was the continuous involvement of the local population. By building on local skills and initiatives, opportunities were created to gain a livelihood from the nature reserve without destroying it. Carefully regulated eco-tourism provided other opportunities while “putting nature first.” The institutional strengthening

14

component of the RSCN revitalized and presented it with a clear mission and a management by objectives system, with a trained and motivated staff. Most importantly, it gave it the will to make the protection of Jordan’s natural heritage succeed. This proposed project builds on that experience by including in the project design a participatory process involving all interested parties, especially local communities.

The first Bank-GEF funded medicinal plant project was the 1998 Sri Lanka Conservation and Sustainable Use of Medicinal Plants. Five Medicinal Plant Conservation Areas (MPCAs) were identified with community participation. Communities are having difficulty in understanding that conservation does not exclude sustainable uses. To date no actual demand has been determined for the medicinal plants identified in need of protection. Nurseries have been established in all 5 MPCAs and cultivation trials initiated. Plantations have also been established in second-growth areas around the MPCAs. The project is training 160 individuals in government and agricultural institutions who will serve as trainers of other villagers. The project has prepared IPR legislation documents: “Legal Framework to Safeguard Traditional Knowledge Relating to the Use of Medicinal Plants” and “Recommendations on New Legislation Required for the Regulation of Access to Genetic Resources.” These documents could be model for other cases in the GEF portfolio, including this one, where similar questions arise.

The Ethiopia Medicinal Plant Conservation. Management and Sustainable Use Project is supported by GEF and IDA/LIL funds. The objective of this project is the conservation, management and sustainable use of medicinal plants and integrating selected phytomedicines and traditional healthcare into the primary healthcare system. Because there are 12 project stakeholders ranging from conservationists to bio-medicinal researchers, implementation was delayed by three months to ensure all participants fully understood their TORs and MOU. Stakeholder activities proceed according to an agreed schedule. The Project Coordinating and Monitoring Unit (PCMU) is based in the Institute for Biodiversity Conservation and Research and its position as lead agency was agreed to by all participating agencies. The PCMU has financial, procurement and disbursement officers who have developed a good working relationship with stakeholders. The PCMU benefits from a Technical Steering Committee, of whom many members werepart of the development phase. Project management is also assisted by an Advisory Committee.

The Ghana Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation (NSBC) Project’s global objective is to improve the livelihood and health of communities through the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources including medicinal plants. The project recognizes the role and knowledge of medicinal plant use by women, healers, and pastoralists. An important project component is the establishment of a close working relationship between the Ministry of Health and its Department of Traditional and Alternative Medicine and the lead ministry namely the Ministry of Lands, Forestry and Mines. The latter is responsible for the conservation and management of natural resources, including medicinal plants. IPR will also be addressed. The project has established good liaison with the healers in the three northern regions and will assist them to establish Traditional Healer Associations. Communities will be responsible for the identification of threatened high-demand medicinal plants and, in collaboration with research scientists, identifying cultivation practices.

The objective of the GEF/UNDP Egyptian Conservation and Sustainable Use of Medicinal Plants in Arid and Semi-Arid Ecosystems Project is to conserve globally significant medicinal plan species and associated habitats in St Katherine’s protectorate. The lessons learned are: (i) immediately document medicinal plant uses to highlight where conservation efforts are required and to provide market intelligence in efforts to promote M/H plant products and services; (ii) recognize that M/H plant use knowledge is an integrated part of their total economic value, hence clear policies and legislation recognizing the legal rights of individuals and communities should be defined; (iii) laws pertaining to IPR, trade regulations, proper handling and safe utilization of M/H plants are missing and need to be addressed; (iv) the subject of medicinal plant conservation requires effective coordination between government agencies, research institutions, NGOs and local beneficiaries with skilled team coordination and clear definition of roles and areas of expertise. These lessons were used in formulating this project.

15

4. Indications of Borrower and Recipient Commitment and Ownership:

Jordan ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on 12 November 1993 and the Desertification Convention in 1996. It has been one of the most successful countries at implementing key Community Driven Development (CDD) Conservation activities including the WB/GEF project in Dana and the IBRD project in Aqaba.

The proposed project is consistent with the recommendation of the National Biodiversity Study (1998) that recommends more extensive work to protect Jordan’s rich diversity of medicinal and herbal plants. Sustainable use of M/H plants is one of the key priorities identified by the study. The 1996 Policy Charter of the Ministry of Agriculture explicitly recognizes the importance of conservation and sustainable use of these plants to meet agricultural diversification objectives and to enhance the efficient use of land and water.

In September of 1999, the Government requested assistance from the World Bank to prepare a project for the Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants. The PDF-B grant is currently under execution by MOP and MOA/NCARTT. An inter-ministerial Steering Committee and a multi-member Technical Committee were formed to assist in its preparation (see Section C4). Although currently there is a lack of capacity, there is commitment at the highest levels to implement a model project for M/H plant conservation. Also, the Government has clearly stated that it has learned from the difficulties encountered during the on-going implementation of the PDF-B grant (due to personnel changes in the MOP, coordination issues between MOA and MOP, lack of familiarity of NCARTT with Bank procurement procedures and processing delays). It is fully committed to ensuring that these difficulties are not repeated during project implementation.

5. Value Added of Bank and Global Support in this Project:

The Bank and the GEF have fruitfully collaborated with GOJ in implementing CDD conservation activities such as the GEF Dana/RSCN, the Aqaba project and the IBRD Tourism project. The Bank’s involvement in the GEF-assisted medicinal and herbal plant projects allows valuable lessons to be incorporated into this project and affords the opportunity to promote an exchange of ideas, facilitate cross-fertilization with other GEF-projects and create a medicinal and herbal plant network.

The principal value added of GEF support is based on its global experience in designing, implementing and financing biodiversity conservation projects. The GEF support is justified by the global significance of M/H plants in Jordan, the existing threats to ecosystem integrity and species survival and the commitment of the government and NGOs to implement the project. The GEF-support will enable the project to target globally valued and threatened M/H plants and to a limited extent address international water conservation issues, reduce the threat of desertification and increase carbon sequestration.

The GEF conservation alternative will build on the baseline scenario of ‘without project intervention,’ by strengthening conservation management in the pilot sites. The GEF support would enable key information to be gathered on the socio-economic and biological data of in-situ medicinal and herbal plants harvested, their status and their habitats. This information can be used to derive appropriate management practices within the pilot sites.

Currently, national efforts to regulate the harvesting of medicinal and herbal plants are very limited. Also, there is little, if any, integration of M/H plant cultivation into agricultural systems. At present, training programs do not exist and the knowledge base is relatively small. Again, public awareness of M/H plants is limited to a few NGO groups.

The GEF alternative would: Actively link the development of guidelines for conserving M/H hotspots and the sustainable

management and harvesting of M/H plants with community needs and commercial demands.

16

Monitor and evaluate the status of key rare/threatened medicinal and herbal plants. This will serve as an important indicator of ecosystem health and human demand in the selected areas.

Integrate pastoral farming with the sustainable use of rangelands to reduce the threat of wind and water erosion and with the long-term aim of increasing the presence of M/H plants.

Expand the database and gene poo1 for M/H plants. Intensify current efforts to capture traditional knowledge and expand knowledge of the botany of

medicinal and herbal plants and their use in Jordan. Support the development of training programs in scientific institutes and for farmers that focus on

sustainable management and harvesting techniques. Promote public awareness on a national scale through financing formal and informal education and

public awareness initiatives in all aspects of M/H plant conservation.

E. Issues Requiring Special Attention1. Economic

[ ]Summarize issues below: [ ] To be defined [ ] None

Economic evaluation methodology:

o Cost benefito Cost effectiveness Incremental Costo Other (specify)

An incremental cost analysis was undertaken. This specified the additional costs accruing to Jordan for protecting its invaluable biodiversity resources (Annex 2). The project design seeks to emphasize cost-effectiveness through minimizing budget impact, maximizing involvement of the local communities, using existing institutions, and building on lessons leaned.

Incremental costs. The incremental costs cover project expenditures of activities that have global benefits. The baseline expenditure scenario was calculated to establish current and planned funding amounts for activities that would occur without the GEF M/H project. The estimated difference between the cost of the baseline scenario and the cost of GEF alternative represents the incremental costs. The incremental costs will contribute to: achieving global environment benefits through conserving rare and endangered M/H plant species; completing a data base and gene pool of all M/H plants in Jordan; strengthening the institutional framework; developing mechanisms for sustainable use; and enhancing public awareness of global environment issues pertaining to medicinal and herbal plants conservation. It is expected that the GEF contribution towards the incremental costs would be of the order of US$5.35 million with estimated additional contributions of about US$ 2.5 million from the GOJ and beneficiaries and US$5 million from other donors. (See Annex 2 for Incremental Cost Analysis).

2. Financial

[ ] Summarize issues below [X] To be defined [ ] NoneTotal Project Costs are estimated at US$12.85 million. Usually, the conventional financial rate of return analysis is not carried out for GEF biodiversity projects. Total government financing during the project implementation period is estimated to be about US $2.5 million. Mainly, this will go towards meeting baseline costs that result in primarily national benefits. The incremental costs, which generate the global environmental benefits, will be financed through the GEF grant and will be an estimated US$5.35 million. Other donors (e.g. USA, EU and the GTZ, Desertification initiative) are being solicited. A financial mechanism for ensuring the long-term sustainability of project benefits is being addressed. Its main emphasis is on developing financially viable products and services based on M/H plants.

The project is not expected to have a significant fiscal impact on the GOJ budget. The total non-GEF financing during the implementation period is estimated at US$7.5 million. The Government is

17

committed to supplying 20% of this total, beneficiaries 13% and other donors 67%. Recurrent costs are estimated at about US$ 0.3 million annually. This represents a negligible amount of the total recurrent budget of GOJ.

As the project encourages the long-term use of M/H resources, the financial benefits to individual households, rural communities and urban dwellers would be apparent as the project evolves and widespread sustainable practices are adopted.

3. Technical

[ ] Summarize issues below [X] To be defined [ ] NoneThe technical capacity and training needs of the collaborating institutions will be assessed during PDF-B grant period and adapted, where appropriate, during project implementation. The project will establish models of best practices for the sustainable use and management of M/H plants in order to replicate these experiences in other region and mainstream their importance in the conservation policy.

The project will focus on medicinal and herbal plant conservation through stakeholder participation and technological integration into the ecosystem and habitats. Such an approach implies solutions that are comprehensive, often based on traditional knowledge, and adapted to participatory planning and decision-making processes. Already, Jordan has acquired experience with such an approach, but never in this sector. Defining and agreeing on a resource-use approach that is both acceptable to the communities and favorable to the conservation of M/H plants will be the challenge. Technical inputs will be required for the sustainable conservation of M/H plants, as well as for monitoring progress, and for the processing and marketing of M/H products.

Replicability: Results may be slow in the conservation and sustainable management of M/H plants in the three pilot areas. Thus, it may take time before some replicable data are available. Through public awareness thrusts, the Government of Jordan intends to disseminate to all interested parties the positive lessons leaned as soon as they become available.

4. Institutional

The institutional issues are the weak aspects of this project. In this ongoing PDF-B stage, the grant recipient is the Ministry of Planning (MOP). NCARTT/MOA is implementing the grant with close supervision by MOP, which has communicated to the Bank concerns about NCARTT lack of experience. NCARTT is a research institution. It has budgetary problems and cumbersome bureaucratic procedures. The Letter of Agreement for the PDF-B grant was signed by GOJ on November 27, 2000.

NCARTT has been moving very slowly in the implementation of the PDF-B grant. The Bank has been training NCARTT in procurement procedures with little success. The slow responses of NCARTT and lack of implementing expertises is of great concern. The implementation of the grant is hampered by lack of full-time management, inter-ministerial disagreement and coordination issues, inadequate procurement, and unprecedented delays.

4.1 Executing Agencies:In the PDF-B grant proposal, NCARTT is nominated as the executing agency. However, following a recent request from the Ministry of Planning, other options are being explored. A detailed institutional and manpower assessment to identify specific human resources and management arrangements has been carried out. There is a need to further explore, during appraisal, the housing of the Project Management Unit in an entity, such as the Jordanian River Foundation or the Hashemite Foundation, which has: demonstrated autonomy, sound financial and accounting systems in place, and low overhead costs. The executing agency will be guided by a Steering Committee, to be chaired by the Minister of Agriculture, including representatives from: agencies such as the Minister of Health, private sector, NGOs, producers, consumers, and local communities.

18

4.2 Project Management:A small Project Management Unit (PMU) would be established under the executing agency. The PMU will have a coordinating role. NCARTT should have a prominent role as the technical service provider. The PMU will be made up of a Project Manager, a specialist in M/H plants, a Financial Manager/Procurement Specialist (or both), an Administrative Assistant and a Driver. Since this is a new area for Jordan, the positions of project manager and M/H specialist will be coupled with international experts positions. Other experts will be hired as consultants with expertise in specific fields such as M & E, production and marketing. The housing of the office is still to be decided. For the three pilot conservation areas, small implementation units will be established at these sites. These units will be under the supervision of the PMU. Three different organizations will manage these pilot sites, namely RSCN at Wadi Mujib, NCARTT in the central upper slopes of the Rift Valley and BRDP in Northern Badia. The PMU will be supervising all the component and sub-component activities outlined in Section C above.

4.3 Procurement Issues:Goods and services will be procured according to the World Bank procedures. A detailed procurement plan will be prepared.

4.4 Financial Management Issues:A Financial Management System (FMS) approved by GOJ and the World Bank has to be agreed. Such a FMS could be put in place in the proposed Interim Management Unit and the Financial/Procurement Officer should be trained to run the system. This system would be developed to cover operational procedures, audits and reporting requirements of the GOJ, the WB and other international donors. Prior to negotiations, a WB Financial Management Specialist will issue a Financial Management Certificate (Annex 4 of the Bank’s Financial Management manual), together with an action plan agreed with the host country. Financial management arrangements and issues will be detailed during project preparation.

All project costs will be given by category, line item and year and entered into the COSTAB format.

5. Environmental

5.1 Summarize significant environmental issues and objectives and identify key stakeholders. If the issues are still to be determined, describe current or planned efforts to do so.A preliminary environmental assessment (EA) has been prepared following initial studies by local andinternational consultants. In summary the preliminary EA determined that:1. Large areas of the rangelands are deteriorating because of drought conditions exacerbated by

overgrazing and over-harvesting of M/H plants. This has reduced biodiversity on these lands and there is an incipient loss of minerals from the soils including carbon due to decreased vegetation cover. This is compounded by an increase in wind and water erosion as a result of non-sustainable practices leading to a spiral of decline in the carrying capacity of the land.

2. Some arable land is in poor condition due to repeated failure of grain crops and the invasion of noxious weeds. Alternative M/H crops have been tried on an experimental basis. These hold some promise as they mature earlier and require less water.

3. Some flora (and fauna) is under threat as a result of these deteriorating conditions (as is the livelihood of farming communities). If little or nothing is done to halt this decline then many rangeland areas and marginal arable areas will slowly degrade and become non-viable even as pastoral land.

4. Some of these rangeland areas will eventually reach desert status with adverse national, regional and even global consequences for biodiversity, carbon store and the quality and quantity of water flow.

5. The proposal to identify and utilize cultivation practices for threatened high-demand M/H species does not pose an environmental risk. Every effort will be made to ensure that such species will be compatible (intercropped) with presently cultivated crops or that they will play a significant role in inhibiting land degradation processes.

5.2 Environmental category and justification/rationale for category rating: B - Partial AssessmentThis project is rated category B and is expected to have positive impacts on the environment with little adverse environmental consequences. A major objective is in-situ environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, especially hotspots containing rare or endangered M/H plants, and rangeland management.

19

The project would seek to actively and effectively engage local stakeholders in the sustainable management of Jordan’s natural resources.

Another objective is the ex-situ growing and use of M/H plants to ease the pressure on their ‘wild’ relatives and to provide alternatives for disadvantaged people. The ex-situ growing of organic M/H plants, to relieve the pressure in-situ, may entail the application of some mineral fertilizers and approved pesticides and herbicides, but if so, precautions will be taken to store and handle approved herbicides, pesticides and mineral fertilizers. To counter the use of herbicides and mineral fertilizers, integrated pest management will be promoted as will the planting of nitrogen-fixing species.

An environmental management plan is being formulated in coordination with MOA and NCARTI’ to promote environmentally friendly conservation and ex-situ farming practices. The EMP’s main thrust is to return marginal and degraded areas into productive and sustainable areas while at least preserving if not expanding the presence of M/H plants in the wild and to relieve the pressure on wild races. The management of rangelands will be improved by erosion prevention methods, controlled fire management, some enrichment re-seeding/replanting of M/H plants and other beneficial and/or endangered species. Efforts will be made to increase shrubs, bushes and trees of M/H and fodder species on all land use types. A database of all M/H plants will be completed and a gene pool upgraded, leading to an expanded source of M/H plants for propagation in Jordan and export to requesting countries. These environmental initiatives will run in tandem with formal and informal environmental training and demonstrations, especially concerning M/H plants, for all sectors of the population. The project will help rejuvenate pilot areas, reduce erosion, reverse degradation and enhance biodiversity. As the project proceeds, the EMP will be revised constantly to take into account positive initiatives and lessons leant as a result of various programs.

5.3 For Category A and B projects, timeline and status of EAEA Start-up date: March 2002

Date of first EA draft: April 2002Expected date of final draft July 2002

A preliminary EA of the project activities will be completed by mid-May 2002 and mitigation measures will be proposed to address possible environmental impacts.

5.4 Determine whether an environmental management plan (EMP) will be required and its overall scope, relationship to the legal documents, and implementation responsibilities. For Category B projects for IDAfunding, determine whether a separate EA report is required. What institutional arrangements are proposed for developing and handling the EMP?

The project’s objectives are to achieve good conservation and management practices of medicinal and herbal plants. Thus, the main features of the EMP are to demonstrate the best pastoral (and arable) practices on pilot areas and then use these pilot areas as springboards to spread such practices to similar areas in Jordan and elsewhere. A dominant feature of this plan is the protection and enhancement of M/H plants in the wild and their propagation through arable farming ex-situ in order to relieve the in-situ pressure. As part of this effort, areas prone to wind and water erosion will be targeted for special attention. These interventions should improve the microclimate, but also increase sustainability of M/H plants and improved fodder species. Areas containing valuable, rare or endangered M/H plants will be pinpointed and protected. Ex-situ emphasis will be placed on increasing such plants in marginal cereal areas, and in kitchen and school gardens. Local people, the PMU, in-situ area managers and other parties will be fully consulted about the EMP and the agreed version put into action with the principal inputs coming from the beneficiaries. Thus, local people will be given environmental training and formal environmental education will be expanded in schools. Farmers will be taken to demonstration sites and shown in-situ sustainable management practices for M/H plants and ex-situ fanning of these plants. If herbicides, pesticides and mineral fertilizers are to be applied, only approved ones will be used and they will be handled and applied according to international standards. Disposal of containers etc. will also be in accordance with international rules. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and nitrogen fixing plants will be promoted and organic fanning will be encouraged. Standards will be used for the dosage and purity of M/H medicine and herbs and these will comply with international norms. The EMP will be flexible so

20

that it can be adapted to promote interventions that work, drop marginal features and introduce new ones, if necessary. All this will be done with the collaboration and approval of the beneficiaries. Without their full support, the EMP cannot work successfully.

The main features of the EMP, integrated within the relevant project components, will be:

Complete the baseline surveys of M/H plant biodiversity and areas threatened by erosion, especially those containing M/H plants.

Establish in-situ and ex-situ pilot sites to demonstrate management methods to protect, propagate and manage these areas.

Monitor all project sites for compliance with best environmental practices. Take farmers to demonstration sites and provide them with advice and seek their opinions. Run training courses for project staff and farmers on the reasons and application of the EMP, on IPM

and the use of organic fertilizers and green manure etc. Run courses on water conservation and the proper the use of waste and ground water. Undertake surveys of M/H ‘hotspots’ and take measures to protect them. Work with the Ministry of Education to enlarge environmental education in schools and at the tertiary

level, especially concerning M/H plants. Encourage the planting of M/H plants in and around houses and schools, along contours for erosion

control, along permanent or seasonal rivers/streams and as shelterbelts to improve the microclimate. Improve the data base, gene pool and seed sources for M/H plant needs. Encourage private nurseries to provide seedlings and cuttings of M/H plants. Establish international standards for M/H medical and culinary applications. Undertake monitoring and evaluation of M/H plant biodiversity, changes in the habitat, especially

wind/water erosion, and the changes in the attitude of people to the environment.

5.5 How will stakeholders be consulted at the stage of (a) environmental screening and (b) draft EA report on the environmental impacts and proposed EMP?

From the start of the project identification there has been close consultation with the local administration and farmers in selected project areas. Also, as part of the PDF-B surveys, potential beneficiaries were consulted and their opinions sought. Consultation will be an ongoing project activity and the implementation of the EMP and its problems (and opportunities) will be reviewed constantly.

5.6 Are mechanisms being considered to monitor and measure the impact of the project on the environment? Will the indicators reflect the objectives and results of the EMP section of the EA?

A detailed program will be compiled to determine the impact of the project. This includes baseline surveys, demonstration plans, monitoring programs for M/H plants in-situ and ex-situ, biodiversity, erosion control, best farming practices etc. The database and gene pool will be finalized and reviewed periodically, seed multiplication of M/H plants will be controlled. Environmental Management Indicators will be reflected in the EMP. These will meet the objectives and goals of the Project and comply with international standards.

6. Social

6.1 Summarize key social issues arising out of project objectives, and the project’s planned socialdevelopment outcomes. If the issues are still to be determined, describe current or planned efforts to do so.

The project is likely to have a positive social impact with the important objective to improve the health status of human and livestock populations. Participatory approaches will be part of the project’s management planning process in order to ensure that local communities’ concerns are addressed effectively and to reinforce a sense of ownership at all levels. It will build on lessons learned in community participation and management of completed and ongoing projects. A focus will be the training

21

of extension workers in participatory and gender approaches. As M/H plants and traditional health systems are an important source of healthcare (and spices) for rural and urban poor, any effort to improve and standardize the safety and efficacy of commonly used herbal remedies will benefit the population.

A number of project components will address social issues as an integrated concern. The overriding problems of poverty, particularly in marginal and rural areas will be addressed through the preservation, management, and growing of these valuable plant resources by the communities as a sustainable source of income. Health issues are also intricately linked to poverty, whereby the medicinal plants provide the primary affordable health care needs of rural and Bedouin communities and their livestock. Ensuring their sustained and expanded use is of the utmost importance to the health and welfare of the poor. Also, women are an integral part of the economic system built round M/H plants, whether as collectors, users, or sometimes healers. Surveys already undertaken will ensure that the women’s opinions and wishes are recorded and that project activities will be designed to involve women as specific target beneficiaries.

Gender. Social analysis of gender issues in the conservation, management and sustainable use of natural resources underscores the differences in terms of authority structures, status in the community, access to land, resources, benefits, income, training and education in the control and use of the environment. To bridge the gender disparity and to alleviate women’s vulnerabilities in M/H utilization and management, the project would: (i) ensure that information relating to project activities reach both men and women, as well as preparing women to participate fully in the resource management process; (ii) target women in the communities, as well as women’s organizations, for education and awareness on biodiversity and M/H conservation and safe use; (iii) support women to conserve existing M/H plants through cultivation; (iv) promote mechanisms for the active and full participation of women, especially healers and birth attendants in Traditional Healer Associations; (v) target them for access to micro-credit facilities; and (vi) include them in grower’s and producer’s organizations.

Summarize Key Issues. During project preparation, 3 relevant studies were undertaken: (a) an Inventory of M/H plants, (b) a Socio-economic Assessment and (a) a Cultivation Survey of Medicinal and Herbal Plants to deepen the understanding of the social aspects, which will be integrated into the project design of Component 2. A summary of the results of these 3 studies is as follows (Annex 5):

The Inventory of M/H plants.A rapid botanical assessment was carried out in five locations, representing different vegetation systems and bio-geographical zones in Jordan. Theses zones included: Ajiloun Woodland Reserve, Safawi and Azraq, Mujib Nature Reserve, Wadi Araba and Shaubak area. Nine hundred plant species were recorded of which 122 species have medicinal uses. Ninety medicinal species were specifically identified by interviewees. Three were identified as endangered, 18 as rare, 8 as decreasing in abundance, while the remaining 93 were common.

A botanical inventory was compiled for each location along with socio-anthropological and ethno-pharmacological assessments. Threats to future supplies of M/H plants include: habitat destruction; ineffective legislation inside and outside protected areas; insufficient information on status, distribution, value and use of medicinal plants; absence of a national medicinal plant conservation program; and a high demand for effective species. It is estimated that 60% of the people relies on plant-based remedies for their daily healthcare needs.

Recommendations for conservation, management and sustainable use of medicinal plants were proposed to overcome current threats. They include: in-situ conservation programs that build on indigenous knowledge and use; effective plant collection and trade regulations; prevention of habitat destruction; strengthen resource management legislation; ex-situ production; increase public education and expanded awareness programs.

The Socio-economic Assessment.Dependable domestic statistics on production, processing and trade are unavailable. Marketing of M/H plants has always been a private sector activity and is dominated by indigenous healers and small traders. Retailers dictate the trade with four companies controlling 40% of the market. Activities are concentrated in Amman, Zarqa, Maa’n, Irbid, and Karak. Ninety-seven species of M/H plants are consumed in Jordan,

22

(2.9 t./yr), and ten species account for 80% of the trade. Plants or their products are traded in either their raw state or with limited processing and with almost no quality control. The value of the trade has not been determined. Monographs for 76 medicinal and herbal plant species considered to be important for cultivation were prepared. As mentioned previously, over-exploitation, destructive harvesting, habitat degradation, agricultural expansion and grazing are the major threats to Jordan’s M/H plants.

The majority of private farms are small (between 5-20 dunums —0.5 to 2 ha.), in rainfed areas and are labor intensive. Farmers are predominantly male and interested in expanding the cultivation of M/H plants (appropriate to their soils). Water is the major limiting factor to increased cultivation, especially in the Amman and Madaba regions. While women are the primary collectors and user/traders of wild plant sources, their activities indicate that harvesting guidelines are a priority need if local extinctions are not to occur. Income derived from the collection and/or cultivation of medicinal plants is minimal. Cultivation by several commercial operations supplies local markets with fresh and dried thyme, mint and meramyah and seeds of anise. Production is not focused on plants of value to the pharmaceutical companies.

The Cultivation Survey.It will be essential to make the appropriate cross linkages to the GEF Operational Program 13 (OP-13) on agro-biodiversity because of the need to conserve and use the herbal, medicinal and aromatic germplasm for sustainable but economic exploitation. When the cultivation study was prepared, OP-13 was not yet operational. The objective of OP-l3 is to promote: (a) the positive impacts and mitigate the negative impacts of agricultural systems and practices on biological diversity among and within agro-ecosystems; (b) the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources of actual and potential value for food and agriculture; and (c) the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of genetic resources. OP-13 is not intended to substitute for OP- 1 to 4 on conservation of biodiversity in various ecosystems, but rather to provide a framework for additional activities specific to conservation of agricultural biodiversity.

As mentioned previously, a total of 445 species of medicinal plants, which belong to 330 genera and 99 families, are found in Jordan. The cultivation study identified 76 medicinal and herbal plant species that should be considered by the project within three categories: (a) vegetables to be cooked or used fresh in salads, (b) plants which are grown as ornamentals in home gardens, and (c) plants which are used as spices or for medicinal purposes. Some of these are indigenous to Jordan; some have global significance as a source of medicine; and some are already grown successfully in other countries. It is suggested that those with good potential and medicinal properties should be included in a breeding or selection program to improve their medicinal and herbal properties. Under this group, the study identifies 39 plant species and classifies them into three groups; trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. It will be critical to prioritize species within the categories identified, but remain flexible to the goal of delivering numerous production possibilities to growers and processors. The prioritization should be based on best chances of success. The project must stay focused on delivery of production packages that can be turned over to the private sector. The challenge will be to create the intersectoral links needed to sustain this chain of effort from discovery to exploitation, marketing and diffusion/replicability of results.

Monitoring of biological and economic indicators will be essential if the work is to continue beyond the GEF project duration. The work program must repeatedly assess progress from the baseline condition and take care to judiciously select verifiable indicators that will be practical to both measure and use when assessing the presence, absence, frequency, and biological density of biodiversity or rate of change in the trends of use for land races, underutilized crops, and other rare species. Stress tolerant species are important, but there is a risk of devoting too much time on research towards understanding the principles of stress tolerance over exploitation of the stress tolerance in production systems.

Irrigation with treated wastewater can be used to produce medicinal and herbal plant species containing compounds for industrial extraction. This offers a good opportunity to use this water without health or environmental hazards. The main thrust of the project should be to obtain feasible, usable results in supplying raw materials in sufficient quantity of an optimum quality to the pharmaceutical and M/H related industries. Organic farming was not mentioned in the report and should be considered in the future as an important means of adding value to the category of herbal and medicinal plants used for human consumption.

23

These assessments identified environmental, social, economic and cultural opportunities and constraints that should be addressed in the management plans for the in- and ex-situ sites to be developed with the direct participation of beneficiaries, NGOs and government agencies. These plans should adhere to Guidelines for Using Social Assessment to Support Public Involvement in World Bank-GEF Projects.

6.2 Participatory Approach: How will key stakeholders participate in the project?

Participatory approaches in design and implementation are core elements of this project. Information sharing among all stakeholders will be key in project design and implementation. During project preparation, active participation and partnership is envisaged by key agencies such as MOA/NCARTT, MOH, BRDP, RSCN, etc. It would build on lessons learned in community participation and natural reserve management in the GEE financed ‘Strengthening of RSCN and Conservation of Dana Wildlands.’ From the start, local communities will be involved from project preparation through community workshops, information sharing, consultation and collaboration. It is expected that local communities would identify management and enforcement criteria and play a major role in protecting in-situ M/H resources as well as growing plants on farm and in kitchen gardens. The private sector (including manufacturers, collectors, pharmaceutical industry herbalists and healers) provides the most important source of information regarding imported and exported M/H plants and their value for the Jordanian economy; it was involved and consulted from the beginning of the project. Jordan’s academia, especially the University of Jordan and Jordan University of Science and Technology, (Faculties of Agriculture, Pharmacy, Botany) have been and will continue to be involved in the M/H plant inventory and cultivation component.

Coordination with Stakeholders: MOH, BRDP, RSCN staff, private sector manufacturers of pharmaceutical drugs, professors of pharmacy and plant ecology, private sector herbalists and healers were consulted during project preparation to determine the geographic distributions of medicinal plants, the extent of M/H plant use, the most important problems faced concerning conservation, cultivation and marketing. A number of meetings were held with representatives of the pharmaceutical industry. These included the Arab Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Eden Natural Herbs Association, Delass Natural Products, and the Jordanian Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Co, Ltd. While there was some initial concern regarding the regulation of phytomedicine on the part of several representatives, there was agreement that they should actively participate in the project. A meeting with the general manager of the RUM Agricultural Co. in Disi resulted in an offer to provide space in the nursery to carry out preliminary cultivation trials using irrigation practices. Further offers should follow.

Other donors and groups working in Jordan in the field of natural resource management, conservation, community development, private sector M/H production and product manufacture, etc., will be approached for information sharing and consultation during project preparation.

The beneficiaries and stakeholders in the proposed project include:

Ident./Preparation Implementationa. Primary beneficiaries and other affected groups:

farmers, community groups special focus on women NGOs National Center National Center for Agricultural

Research and Technology Transfer, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Planning, General Corporation for Environmental protection

Private sector: for instance RUM Agricultural Co., the Arab Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Co., Medicinal Plants Producers and Traders Association

Academia: University of Jordan, Jordan University of Science and Technology

IS/CON/COL for all groups listed

IS/CON/COL for all groups listed

24

Users (for human and livestock use)b. Other key stakeholders

Donors: ICADA, GTZ, USDA, US Embassy, EU CON IS/CON

6.3 How does the project involve consultations or collaboration with NGOs or other civil society organizations?During preparation there were close consultations with village and community groups. Group approaches to resolve conservation, production and marketing problems will be developed. There is strong NGO (RSCN) activity in Wadi Mujib. This will be built upon. Also, the existence of a strong Pharmaceutical Association will help the project to improve standards for phytomedicines and expand or develop markets. Collaboration with local communities will involve cost sharing. This has to be worked out, but it is envisaged that the beneficiaries will provide cash or in-kind contributions and in turn benefit from the sale of M/H plants and products. This will foster an active and results-orientated participation in the project.

6.4 What institutional arrangements are planned to ensure the project achieves its social development outcomes?The PMU and the implementation units at the three pilot sites will ensure that the social development outcomes are obtained through regular monitoring and evaluation of project activities. The project activities are demand-driven to ensure that they represent stakeholder priorities and implementation will rely substantially on the active participation of key stakeholders. This approach should promote project sustainability and ownership by beneficiaries, the Govemorates and central government. The institutional arrangements will be designed specifically to ensure transparency in the selection of partners used for demonstration activities.

6.5 What mechanisms are proposed to monitor and measure project performance in terms of social development outcomes? If unknown at this stage, please indicate TBD.Monitoring is based on the baseline surveys undertaken during project preparation. Five studies were undertaken and extensive data were collected on existing M/H plants, their location, possible cultivation practices and social and economic factors. These are documented as working papers. A M&E system including social indicators will be developed by the PMU. This unit will track project performance through periodic beneficiary and technical surveys. The results of the M&E activities will be fed back into the implementation process as improved practices. A mid-term review will be carried out to assess overall progress. Lessons learned, with recommendations for any improvements, will be used to restructure the project when and if necessary.

7. Safeguard Policies

7.1 Do any of the following safeguard policies apply to the project?Policy Applicability

Environmental Assessment (OP 4.01, BP 4.01, GP 4.01) X Yes O No O TBDNatural Habitats (OP 4.04, BP 4.04, GP 4.04) O Yes O No X TBDForestry (OP 4.36, GP 4.36) O Yes X No O TBDPest Management (OP 4.09) O Yes X No O TBDCultural Property (OPN 11.03) O Yes X No O TBDIndigenous Peoples (OD 4.20) O Yes X No O TBDInvoluntary Resettlement (OP, BP 4.12) O Yes X No O TBDSafety of Dams (OP 4.37, BP 4.37) O Yes X No O TBDProjects in International Waters (OP 7.50, BP 7.50, GP 7.50) O Yes X No O TBDProjects in Disputed Areas (OP 7.60, BP 7.60, GP 7.6O)* O Yes X No O TBD

7.2 Project Compliance(a) Describe provisions made by the project to ensure compliance with safeguard policies, which are applicable.

25

A preliminary EA was carried out, and this formed the basis of the EMP. The project will promote the conservation and sustainable management of M/H plants in rangelands, their planting in arable areas and the development of M/H products. This will lead to improved rangeland management, decreased wind and water erosion and greater biodiversity protection. No weed killers or pesticides will be used on the project sites. If farmers are found to be using such chemicals on their own land they will be encouraged to use 1PM and if they still want to use permitted weed killers, they will be advised about its storage, use and disposal of containers as laid down in various FAO guidelines covering packaging, storing, labeling and disposal of herbicides and their containers. (FAO Rome 1985). Prohibited chemicals will not be used and all precautions will be taken including following normal safeguard practices in compliance with FAO guidelines. Integrated pest management will be demonstrated as a viable alternative to the application of hemicals, as will the application of organic fertilizers in place of mineral fertilizers.

(b)If application is still to be determined, describe current or planned efforts to make a determination.

8. Business Policies8.1 Check applicable items:[ ] Financing of recurrent costs (OMS 10.02)[ ] Cost sharing above country 3-yr average (OP 6.30, BP 6.30. GP 6.30 )[ ] Retroactive financing above normal limit (OP 12.10, BP 12.10. GP 12.10)[X] Financial management (OP 10.02. BP 10.02 ) Involvement of NGOs (GP 14.70) [X] Involvement of NGOs (GP 14.70)

8.2 For business policies checked above, describe issue(s) involved. Financial management will be fully consistent with Bank policies.

National and international NGOs (IUCN, Conservation International) will actively participate in project design. National NGOs will also be involved in the implementation of the project.

F. Sustainability and Risks

1. Sustainability:

One of the policy/institutional conditions that may adversely affect the sustainability of the project activities is the absence of a well-defined national land use planning framework. This has aggravated the degradation of M/H plants and other biodiversity habitats in Jordan. Existing laws affecting land use are weak and are not properly enforced. The multiplicity of agencies and the absence of nationally agreed upon land use plans and buffer zones have resulted in urban encroachment, deforestation, and rangeland deterioration. The proposed project will promote in-situ conservation and sustainable use of M/H plants at the Mujib Reserve and two other sites (including the establishment of buffer zones), which have been identified as priority pilot areas. At the national level, this will be the first effort towards developing methods for the sustainable harvesting of in-situ M/H plants that recognize the unique biological and physical characteristics of protected areas. This approach is expected to be replicated at other important sites elsewhere, which will serve to combat the degradation of their habitats. In addition, to relieve pressure on in-situ sites, there will be ex-situ growing of M/H plants by communities and private farmers and the manufacture of products base on such plants. The public awareness component under the project will also serve to sensitize local communities and other stakeholders to the importance of preserving these habitats.

Participatory approaches are key to reinforce a sense of ownership at all levels, enhancing the efficiency of resource management, and contribute to sustainability. In terms of outcomes, sustainability will depend on replicability. The full collaboration of rural communities at the proposed project sites is required to create the right conditions for future replication. The lack of stakeholders’ awareness and participation in the land use planning process has been cited as an important institutional constraint. It is expected that such methodologies and practices, piloted and developed under the proposed project, involving the

26

participation of local communities in management, decision-making and monitoring, can be replicated in and around other reserves and other biologically important sites in Jordan.

National expertise to develop safety and efficacy standards and dosage levels of traditional medicines is currently limited. Further research is necessary to verify the direct applicability of technical options for implementation at the laboratory, farm, and the project site levels. The proposed project seeks to address this lacuna through developing national research capacity and leveraging private sector participation.

The project will be sustainable if the following issues are given sufficient attention:

The lack of stakeholder’s awareness and participation in land use planning processes is an important institutional constraint in the protection of Jordan’s biodiversity. The full collaboration of rural communities at the proposed project sites will be required to create the conditions for future replication and to establish a sense of ownership. Enhancement of biodiversity protection will be based on negotiation agreements (especially concerning grazing) with local communities and the success in providing verifiable benefits from alternative livelihoods. The provision under the project to put in place management plans for the different sites will have a positive influence on their sustainable management, not only for M/H plants, but also for the complete fauna and flora.

Long-term sustainability is crucial. It will depend on the impact of the project being of value and profitable. Significant improvements in marketing M/H plants and cost recovery measures depend on farmer participation and engagement and will lead to farmer’s interest and support. Due attention will be given to ensuring sustainability during the design and implementation in the project. This will be done through market analysis to determine the most profitable plants and products. These will be promoted through demonstrations, organic labeling, product promotion, adherence to standards, quality control, public awareness and the micro-credit program, etc.

NCARTT as a provider of agricultural services has had a good experience in working with local communities through extension workers. For this project, NCARTTs focus on research has to move towards implementing a participatory approach with the different stakeholders and groups and information sharing, as well as on the ground performance.

The GOJ has to provide sufficient inputs to support the project’s objectives such as developing safety and efficacy standards and dosage levels for M/H medicine and their integration into modern medicine.

2. Critical Risks (reflecting the failure of critical assumptions found in the fourth column of Annex 1):Needs Work

Risk Risk Rating Risk Mitigation MeasureFrom Output to ObjectiveGovernment Commitment towards conservation of medicinal and herbal plants dwindles

M Government involved to ensure that the benefits accruing from conserving and using M/H plants through rural employment and income generation, erosion reduction, import substitution, and the development of the M/Hsector.

The capacity of NCARTT remains limited. Slow processing of procurement of goods and services which will hamper implementation

H Provide training and support to the PMU.

Decrease of M/H plants with the concurrent increased degradation of rangelands and inability of government

N National awareness program targeted at key audiences, including policy makers. Demonstrate methods to conserve M/H plants

27

to avert further damage. and its role in reversing degradation.

Low/inadequate commitment from beneficiaries.

N In-situ and ex-situ areas selected after detailed consultation and agreement with participants. Participatory approach implemented for development plans.

From Components to OutputsLack of competent staff to implement the project.

S Competent staff available, however, it is hampered by bureaucracy. The PMU should have flexibility and the financial and procurement management should follow WB Procedures

Inadequate collaboration between inter-agencies and with other stakeholders support lacking

M Inter-agency training courses and site visits will increase cooperation, especially as project

proceeds.

Other donor funding inadequate, private

M All interested partners have to increase effort to attract donor and private funding support.

Three agencies for pilot M/H conservation will not work together and this essential sub-component not effective

N Interagency competition should lead agency trying to out-perform their rivals. Inter-site visits and frequent swapping of information should lead to a vibrant co-operation

Implementing agencies may be unable to attract and retain qualified staff especially in the field.

Project will provide training and career development benefits and work towards loyalty in this professional field.

Overall Risk Rating MRisk Rating: H- High Risk, S - Substantial Risk, M - Modest Risk, N - Negligible or Low Risk

G. Project Preparation and Processing

1. Has a project preparation plan been agreed with the borrower?

[ ] Yes - date submitted: [X] No - date expected:[[NEEDS TO BE DONE]]

2. Advice/consultation outside country department:

[X] Within the Bank: Gonzalo Castro, Robert Kennedy, Kathlenn S. McKinnon, Aloysius U. Ordu, ColinRees, Jitendra Srivastava, Anthony J. Whitten[X] Other development agencies: CI, DOS, GTZ, ICARDA, IUCN, UNDP, USAID, USDA, WHOH External Review

3. Composition of Task Team:

Govind Bora, Stefanie Brackmann, Usaid El-Hanbali, Nicole Glineur, Samia Msadek, Ayat Soliman (MNSRE); Ferid Belhaj (LEGMS), Hovsep Melkonian (LOAG1)

4. Quality Assurance Arrangements:

[[NEEDS TO BE DONE]]

28

S. Management Decisions:

Issue Action/Decision Responsibility

Total Preparation Budget: (US$000) Bank Budget: Trust Fund:Cost to Date: (US$000) GEF resources of $ for supervision and $ as PDF-B[ ] GO [ ] NO GO Further Review [Expected Date]

Nicole Glineur Salah Darghouth Joseph SabaTeam Leader Sector Manager Country Director

29

Annex I: Project Design Summary

JORDAN: Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants Project

Hierarchy of Objectives Key Performance Indicators

Data Collection Strategy Critical Assumptions

Sector-related CAS Goal: Sector Indicators: Sector I country reports: (from Goal to Bank Mission)Improve environment and rainfed water management promote human development in Jordan.

Environmental degradation decreased, rural well being increased.

Reports, statistics and monitoring system.

Political support at all levels for sustainable use of natural resources, rural development and poverty alleviation.

GEF Operational Program: OP# 1: Arid and Semi-Arid Zone Ecosystem Crosscutting area: Land Degradation and Agro-Biodiversity (OP# 13).

Plant conservation and management initiatives implemented for plant species of regional and global significance. Reduced land degradation due to successful implementation of conservation management initiatives in target areas.

Monitoring program, government statistics, project reports.

Government’s ability to mobilize resources for environmental protection and build institutional capacity, particularly for the conservation and use of M/H plants and biodiversity conservation, thus contributing to community development and the national economy.

Project Development Objective:

Outcome/Impact Indicators:

Project Reports: (from Objective to Goal)

Improve livelihood and health of communities.

Threat to medicinal and herbal plant species is diminished and key biodiversity areas identified and protected.Database and monitoring system fully functional.Active participation of communities in conservation, management and income generating programs.

Database, monitoring systems, agricultural and trade statistics.

Information available to users.

Full GOJ support.Project development interventions are self-sustaining and replicable.

Global Objective: Outcome/Impact Indicators:

Project Reports: (from Objective to Goal)

Improved conservation and sustainable use of medicinal and herbal plants species.

Reduction in biodiversity loss in selected areas.Establish gene pool for M/H plants.Expansion of in-situ and ex-situ planting and use of M/H plants.

Baseline survey and monitoring.Progress and supervision reports.

GOJ implement policies and programs aimed at promoting medicinal and herbal plants, resulting in increase of national and international demand for M/H plants and products.Overcome community resistance to support and accept biodiversity conservation initiatives.

30

Output from each Component:1. Institutional strengthening, project monitoring and evaluation

Output Indicators: Project Reports (from Outputs to Objective)

a. Project management unit operational, including administration, finance, procurement, M&E system implemented, NCARTT et al capacity strengthened and institutional collaboration strengthened.

PMU fully functional and operational by mid-2004.Institutional assessment conducted and training needs identified by end PY 1. Training completed by PY 2.Professional assessment of training status by end PY 4.

Project supervision reports.M&E reports.

Ability to maintain staff, offices and GOJ support.Communities take on planning & management responsibilities.

b. Developing regulatory instruments and crucial inter-sector links (MOA, Ministry of Health, Veterinary Dept., pharmaceutical industry, producers, consumers).

Technical Committee between relevant participating ministries, private sectors and stakeholders established and meet regularly.

Technical committee meeting minutes, follow-up activities, progress reports.

Requirements and standards of MOH, Vet. Dept. specified and updated.

c. Intellectual property rights (IPR), policy and guidelines (including benefits sharing) developed.

IPR policy and guidelines for sharing traditional health care knowledge and use of M/H plants established; proposals tabled and laws enforced.

Project supervision reports. Government endorsement

d. Establishing standards, safety, efficacy testing, etc.

Standards for sustainable use of rare and popular M/H plants established; proposals tabled and laws enforced.

Project reports. Standards comply with international guidelines.

e. Establishing a national medicinal plant database and updating gene-bank.

National medicinal and herbal plant database and gene-bank established by end-2004.

Project and database reports. Database updated quarterly. Frequency of use of database.

Information in database leads to improved sustainability and use of M/H plants.

f. Training for Masters and Ph.D. students. GIS program.

Applied research results published. GIS updated frequently. Project supervision reports.

Project research reports. Sufficient qualified students.

2. Pilot-Sites Conservationa. Three pilot conservation sites established.Rare and endangered species recorded and protected.Demonstrations organized.

Site management plans formulated by mid-2004. Plans implemented and updated frequently.

Project reports. Site management plans.M&E information.

Management in the 3 sites in place by mid-2004, trained staff recruited , and sufficient funds budgeted for 5 years.

b. Ex-situ cultivation trials of M/H plants established.

Ex-situ locations identified, farmers’ agreements compiled and medicinal/ herbal planting program drawn up, trials undertaken. Cultivation practices prepared by end-2004. Demonstration plot program formulated.

Project reports.M&E information.

Farmers willing to participate in the expanded output of M/H plants. Project arranges site visits to demonstration plots and provides information about opportunities for M/H plants.

31

3. Public Awarenessa. Environmental education delivered to communities and schools.

Curricula for primary/ secondary/tertiary/informal environmental education to include M/H.

Progress reports. MOE information, consultant’s reports.

MOE, a willing partner to develop or expand curricula, funds available for sample equipment for schools,.Communities actively involved in environmental protection

b. Public awareness campaigns including women’s development implemented.

Three targeted communities based training workshops undertaken yearly from 2004.

Progress reports. Targeted audiences identified, channels and actions defined.

4. M/H income generation, quality enhancement, product development

a. Certification of organically grown produce.

Certification program compiled and accepted nationally and internationally.

List of certified farms published. Project and inspector’s report.

International standards accepted. Organically grown produce command higher price.

b. M/H plant materials prepared according to standards. Processing ability enhanced, chemical analysis and quality control done. Product development by communities/private sector.

Improved product quality. Quality testing laboratory established. Information compiled on all aspects of processing. Training courses provided. Inspectors chosen.

Project, laboratory and inspector’s reports.

Jordan Bureau of Standards plays active role in standards enforcement.

c. Market identification, market intelligence, export opportunities and building partnerships with the pharmaceutical sector.

Information compiled on all aspects of trading. Partnership with pharmaceutical sector established and regular meetings held.

Trade papers, project reports, trade statistics.

Government active in export promotion and trade fairs. Market prices are sufficient incentive for producers, processors and traders.

d. Macro-credit available to individual and communities for M/H initiatives.

Funds channeled and delivered through the Agricultural Credit Corporation (ACC). Take-up by individual and groups increasing.

ACC annual reports, Project reports, socio-economic surveys.

Loan agreement acceptable to communities/individuals.

Project Components/Sub-components:Component 1. Institutional Strengthening. US$2.500 million

Inputs: (budget for each component)

Project reports: (from Components to Outputs)

a. Project Management Unit (PMU).

US$1.250 million. PMU reports. Management competence improved, functions carried out in timely manner.

b. Development of inter-sector links.

US$0.225 million. Steering Committee. Government records, PMU reports. Follow-up activities.

Quality improved and quantity of local M/H plants and products expanded.

c. Intellectual property rights (IPR), policy and guidelines.

US$0.225 million. Government information and documentation. PMU reports.

Policies and guidelines adhered to, laws respected, payments made for IPR.

32

d. Establishing standards, safety, efficacy testing, etc.

US$.0.250 million. PMU reports, trade statistics.

Improved quality of M/H plants and products leads to expanded market demands and new business opportunities.

e. M/H plant database established.

US$0.250 million. PMU reports, database reports.

Database leads to expanded production and use of M/H plants and products, including new species and products.

f. Training program identified and delivered.

US$0.300 million. PMU reports. Applied research provides improved M/H knowledge.

Component 2. Pilot-Sites Conservation, US$5.500 million.

a. In situ conservation in three areas in Jordan and demonstration plots.

US$3.600 million. PMU reports, M&E. Rare, endangered and popular M/H plants conserved in-situ,. Source for breeding etc.

b. Ex-situ M/H plant expansion and demonstrations.

US$1.900 million. PMU reports, M&E. M/H plants grown in various locations for commercial purposes on expanded areas. Farmers and community groups, including women/ disadvantaged, trained to grow and process M/H plants.

Component 3. Public awareness. US$1.150 million.

a. Formal and informal environmental education.

US$0.550 million. MOE reports, PMU reports, M&E.

Environmental education improved at all levels, positively affecting the environment.

b. Public awareness including promoting replication.

US$0.600 million. PMU reports, M&E. Through increased awareness, benefits from conserving and sustainably managing M/H plants reflected in decreased poverty rates and improved economy. Replication of project promoted.

Component 4. M/H quality enhancement, product development and income generation. US$3.350 million.

a. Certification of organic farms and products.

US$0.500 million. Government records, PMU reports, M&E.

Organically grown products fetch premium prices.

b. Product preparation and processing.

US$1.000 million. PMU reports, M&E. Trade reports.

Products graded, proper handling, quality assured. Production meets international standards, new products.

c. Product promotion. US$0.850 million. Trade reports, PMU reports, M&E.

New markets found, better price for producers, import substitution.

33

d. Micro-credit. US$1.000 million. PMU reports, Bank and consultant’s reports.

Steady increase in loans, repayment rates high.

PDF-Block B US$0.450 million. Including contribution of US$0.100 million from GOJ.

34

Annex 2: Incremental Cost AnalysisJORDAN:Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants Project

Overview.

I. The broad development objective of the proposed project is to improve livelihood and health of communities through the conservation, management, and sustainable use of medicinal and herbal plants for human and livestock needs in Jordan while ensuring effective in-situ protection of threatened habitats and ecosystems. Progress will be determined by: (i) measurable improvement in the conservation and management of globally and nationally significant M/H plant species and their habitats; (ii) community involvement and adoption of improved biodiversity management guidelines and new conservation measures; (iii) increased community awareness of biodiversity issues and (iv) maintenance of in-situ and ex-situ field gene banks of rare and threatened medicinal and herbal plant species. The GEF Alternative intends to achieve these outputs at a total incremental cost of US$5.35 million to be financed by GEF.

Context and Broad Development Goals.

2. The flora of Jordan is rich in medicinal and herbal plants, mainly the Umbelliferae, Labiatae and Composite. Many of them grow in sub-series or successional communities in various states of development or degradation, and are adapted to arid or semi-arid conditions. M/H plants in Jordan are distributed throughout the country from the eastern desert to the western highlands and from the semiarid north to the extremely arid south. Local people have recognized the importance of these plants as a source of M/H products since time immemorial. A few studies related to the identification of endemic, rare and endangered species have been carried out in Jordan on all flora. An estimated 100 species of endemic plants comprising about 2.5 percent of the total flora are recognized. A total of 485 species of medicinal and herbal plants, which belong to 330 genera and 99 families, is reported from Jordan (Oran and Al-Eisawi, 1994). The identified plants are herbs, shrubs or trees. Under the PDF - Block B Grant an inventory of M/H plants in five sites representative of most of the vegetation types in Jordan revealed 94 species of medicinal value. Three species were found to be endangered (Cyclamen persicum, Moringa peregrina, Salvadora persica), five rare (Ankyropetalum gypsophiloides, Foeniculum vulgare, Gomphocarpus sinaicus, Pergularia tomentosa, Rheum palaestinum, eight decreasing in abundance (Arum dioscorides, A. hygrophyllum, Ceratonia siliqua, Crataegus aronia, Majorana syriaca, Matricaria aurea, Mentha longfolia, Nasturtium officinalis), one endemic (Rheum palaestinum) and one extinct (Salvia triloba). The remaining sixty-four species were considered common, although an increasing number are coming under threat. An earlier survey by the Royal Society of Conservation of Nature in one proposed project area (Wadi Mujib Reserve) indicated the presence of rare species like Adiantum capillus-veneris, Sternbergia clusiana, Pistacia atlantica, Caralluma aaronis, Pergularia tomentosa, Equisetum ramosissimum, Crocus moabiticus, Micromeria sinaica (endemic; also on IUCN list), Teucrium leucocladum, Ajuga chamaepytis, A. iva, Lavandula pubescens, Withania somnifera (new to the area). Endemic species in the Mujib reserve include Withania obtus folia, Micromeria sinaica, and Crocus moabiticus.

3. One of the major difficulties of assessing the importance of M/H plants and developing a strategy for their conservation and sustainable use is the lack of hard facts about which species have medicinal value, their detailed distribution, how they are collected or harvested, which species are cultivated and where, what are the quantities involved in collection, consumption, and trade and etc. Trade statistics are unreliable as is the identity of the material traded under such names as oregano, covering plants belonging to more than one genus and several species. Some countries such as Spain have produced reasonable detailed assessments of the uses and trade in medicinal and aromatic plants. A review of surveys for other Mediterranean countries, prepared under the auspices of the MEDUSA organization, as part of data gathering on wild regional species of potential value for sustainable use may provide examples of good practices.

35

4. Jordan’s flora is considered rich and diverse, being at the junction of three continents, Europe, Asia and Africa. Al-Eisawi (1985) indicated the presence of four bio-geographical regions and thirteen vegetation types. In Jordan, M/H plants have served many functions played important roles including supplying ecological, genetic, social, cultural, economic, and scientific services (Al-Khalil, 1995; Al-Eisawi and Takruri, 1989). In addition to enhancing health care and rural well being, M/H plants contribute to soil protection and soil-water enhancement due to their adaptation to semi-arid conditions. They generate income for the population, particularly for resource-poor people by, for instance, providing jobs for women who undertake about half the gathering, processing and marketing of M/H plant material.

5. The sector is undergoing major changes. On one hand the demand for M/H plants and their extracts for domestic use in Jordan is increasing and is satisfied either through over-harvesting of wild plants, a little cultivation or by imports. This latter amount to about US$ 6 million per year with exports about $ 0.4 million annually. On the other hand, there has recently been an increasing interest in the promotion and sustainable use of M/H plants. In addition to their exploitation in the health sector, they are increasingly becoming part of agricultural and environmental programs.

Baseline Scenario

6. At present, there are very few activities in Jordan that specifically focus on the conservation and sustainable use of M/H plants. The main activity concerns that of the Germplasm for Arid Lands Program (GALP) through the Desertification Initiative whose objective is to identify and evaluate indigenous and exotic species of plants for arid lands, evaluate their economic and environmental potential and promote the establishment of a more biologically diversified and productive plant resource base for farming systems in the region. Thus far, the activities have been limited to carrying out experimental field trials on yield improvement, cultivation under plastic house conditions, impact of mulching on arak, mellisa, and roselle, and financing scholarships. Extension work in cultivation of M/H plants continues to be minimal. The commitment under Phase II of the Desertification Initiative would focus on the regional knowledge-sharing approach. Activities planned in Phase II under the Plant Genetic Resources for Arid Lands include the completion of activities undertaken in Phase I (described above), and the formulation of national strategies through planning workshops to control desertification as the basis for identifying a regional strategy. hence, there will be limited attention paid to sustainable use of M/H plants in Jordan.

7. NCARTT would continue some basic research on germplasm and ex-situ conservation, but its budget does not permit it to expand the scope of its activities in sustainable use of M/H plants. In-situ conservation of medicinal and herbal plants will not be pursued in the Wadi Mujib reserve. The ongoing GTZ and WAD projects will work with the communities to develop sustainable rangeland management systems, but will not specifically address the issue of conservation of M/H plants.

8. RSCN will continue to implement its mandate to manage the nature reserves and protected areas. However, it has no independent resources to carry out the much-needed baseline surveys, market assessments, socioeconomic surveys etc. on medicinal and herbal plants. Hence, conservation and sustainable use of medicinal and herbal plants would be extremely limited.

9. The Nour Al-Hussein Foundation’s (NHF) Quality of Life (QOL) program was established in 1985. The Medicinal Herbs Agri-Enterprises Project (MHAEP) was established in 1989 to integrate women in rural development, create employment, turn home gardens into enterprises, preserve medicinal and aromatic plants, and to ensure women as decision makers. The preliminary target site was Bani Kinanah managed in cooperation with the local community and several Jordanian universities. To date, 440 women have received technical training under the project and another 1800 obtained indirect benefits. Simultaneously, the quality of life of women has been improved; they have become decision-makers, established their own enterprises and contributed to the protection of Jordan’s biodiversity. The NHF has an important role to play in supporting the role of women in traditional health care and income generation through cultivation. This should be encouraged.

36

10. While the Government is keen to meet its obligations under the Biodiversity Convention, more pressing development problems will take priority over M/H plants conservation and sustainable use. Therefore, the baseline scenario will result in limited conservation of M/H plants and strengthening of national capacity. National NGO efforts will result in a marginal increase in environmental awareness and the importance of these M/H plants. Similarly, donor activities will result in a limited increase in sustainable natural resource management. However, there is no process in place to change behavior, so these activities are unlikely to ensure protection of globally significant M/H plant resources due to lack of an explicit focus on biodiversity values as well as legal, institutional and socioeconomic constraints to their protection.

Global Environment Objective

11. The global environment objective is to conserve through community participation the biodiversity and protect indigenous knowledge in Jordan, to sustain and expand the availability of medicinal and herbal plants, and to protect the traditional home garden and agro biodiversity of the region. Global environment benefits will occur through the conservation and management of endemic and threatened species of M/H within selected sites and be supported by legislative action. Such actions will help to secure the continued existence of this unique biodiversity. Specifically, the development of management guidelines for sustainable levels of harvesting will enhance biodiversity protection. In addition, the project will encourage the planting of globally important M/H plants to relieve the pressure on in-situ sites. A database and gene pool will be established to preserve M/H species and to make them available to people throughout Jordan and the region. Furthermore, the project will document and underscore the important role that traditional knowledge and cultural heritage can play in global biodiversity conservation and medicinal and herbal plant management programs. Also, international waters will be protected to a certain extent by improving water harvesting methods and decreasing wind and water erosion through appropriate management initiatives. There will be some additional carbon sequestration in plants and soil by increasing the ground cover, especially of perennial plants. However, this sequestration will be marginal in the early years and will be difficult to quantify over the project’s lifetime. But if conservation and management of M/H plants continue, carbon accumulation could be significant.

12. The total costs of the GEF Alternative are estimated at US$5.35 million detailed as follows:

Incremental Cost Matrix

Component Sector

Cost Category US$ mill. Domestic Benefits Global Benefits

Institutional strengthening and collaboration

Baseline 0.175 Ongoing traditional agricultural initiatives.

Some protection of germ plasm. Minimal improvement to sustainable use of M/H plants.

GEF Alternative(Additional non-GEF incremental costs $0.142 million).

1.635 Increase in research and technical capacity of relevant government and non-government institutions. Training for beneficiaries NGOs to identify and conserve M/H plants.

Increased public sector capacity to manage biodiversity and sustainable management of M/H plants.

Community based support program

Baseline 0.683 M/H plants available for local food and health benefits, site specific programs and efforts.

Little if any global benefits for many M/H species are bring over-harvested and some are endangered.

37

Component Sector

Cost Category US$ mill. Domestic Benefits Global Benefits

GEF incremental (additional non-GEF incremental costs $2.767 million)

3.230 Three in-situ sites protected and managed sustainably. Used as models for other sites. Increased collection and analysis of information vital for conserving endemic/rare fauna. Ex-situ production of M/H plants and products.Increased opportunities for income generation in rural communities. Management plans for sustainable land use, decreased erosion and improved water harvesting.

Pressure relieved from vulnerable M/H species over the long term, gene pools of medicinal and herbal plants maintained and sustained, agro-biodiversity preserved, long-term capacity and awareness for biodiversity established. Sustainable production of M/H plants increased. Improved quality and quantity of water into Jordan Valley, some increase in carbon sequestration.

Public awareness Baseline 0.100 Some environmental training, but lacking in M/H concerns. Minor public awareness through existing conservation.

Little environmental enlightenment.

GEF incremental (additional non-GEF incremental costs $0.594 million).

0.338 Increased information sharing and public awareness concerning the importance of biodiversity, specifically M/H education.

Increased public and private awareness of globally significant biodiversity and the importance of M/H plants.

GEF incremental 0.238M/H income generation etc.

Baseline 0.075 Some private activities Negative benefit due to over-harvesting.

GEF (additional non-GEF incl. $3.268 million)

0.145 Improved quality and quantity of products from sustainable supply

Sustainable production leads to increased management and planting of M/H plants.

Total GEF incremental 5.35 Total GEF input $5.35 million including $0.350 million for PDF-B

Total 12.85

38

Annex 3: STAP Roster Technical ReviewJORDAN: Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants Project

Dr. Mark Plotkin, STAP Roster Member

I have reviewed the project and found it to be impressive. It seems well thought out and well designed.

I would suggest - if the project is funded - to bring in a few outsiders with expertise like to complement that of the Jordanians themselves. In particular, I am thinking of Dr. Jim Duke (jimduke@pcug.org) of Maryland, USA who is an expert in both Neotropical medicinal plants and medicinal plants of the Holy Land, and Dr. Gary Martin of Morocco who is an expert in medicinal plants of arid environments.

I would also recommend a bit more attention to Intellectual Property Rights issues, so as not to share Medicinal secrets across to wide a spectrum.

Finally, I fully recommend funding of this project.

The Medicinal and Herbal Plant Conservation Project (MHPCP) seems to be a well-thought out and well-designed effort. The development objectives — improving both the livelihood and the health of rural communities — are praiseworthy goals. And the focus on both human and livestock needs are particularly important in arid areas like Jordan.

The medicinal and other useful plants of the Middle East have long been overlooked by much of the conservation community which has often focused more attention on the tropical regions. Yet the Mediterranean region as a whole has been as important — some would argue more important —as a source of economic plants for the world. And Jordan, especially in light of its size and because of its location at the juncture of Asia, Africa, and Europe, has a rich and diverse flora.

Though I haven’t worked in Jordan, I assume the situation in terms of plant use, knowledge and marketing is similar to most other industrializing countries: traditional cultures are facing severe disruption, and not transmitting ethnobiological data onto the next generation. Meanwhile, the urban educated elite are becoming more interested in traditional medicine. And information on trade in medicinal plants (this is cited in the proposal) is, at best, unreliable.

What this means is that there needs to be some form of recording traditional knowledge about medicinal and forage plants so this information does not disappear. The need to develop a framework for the protection of intellectual property rights is explicitly mentioned in the proposal, but recording the information should be considered a priority and perhaps incorporated in the database being assembled.

The key performance indicators — enhanced management capacity, diminished threats to plants, involvement of local communities, and enhanced public awareness — are well chosen.

The one aspect of the project that seems least well-developed is the commercialization of useful plants. Passing mention is made of pharmaceuticals, but this is a complicated, time-consuming, and expensive process. Probably the best way to approach commercialization of local species is to do so specifically for local, national, or regional markets. This approach negates the need to try to crack the international marketplace, which is best avoided in a project of this scale. Another recommendation is to focus on non-medicinal species: spices or aromatic plants that do not require the same degree of testing as do medicinal species. An obvious approach is to develop products to sell to tourists (aromatic candles, etc.) that can generate even greater income.

The other issue that comes to mind reading this proposal is the seeming lack of interaction with other countries of the region. Surely, many of the challenges facing Jordan are shared by neighboring countries like Syria. Furthermore, the Israelis are quite advanced in medicinal plant technologies: cell tissue culture, hydroponics, etc. Political realities might complicate any close Jordanian-Israeli cooperation at this point

39

in time, but any effort to draw on regional expertise or share results with neighboring countries would serve to augment the positive impact of the project.

Let me say that the issues I’ve raised are meant as helpful suggestions, not serious criticisms. In fact, I find this to be one of the best-designed plant conservation strategies I have ever seen. If implemented, the successes that are likely to result should be applicable in many other countries. I recommend full funding.

Response to STAP Review

The project team agrees with the recommendations provided by the SlAP reviewer. During appraisal, special attention will be given to: Further ensure that project components will improve information, knowledge, and recording of

medicinal and herbal plants. Further inclusion of outside expertise. Since this is the first time that the conservation of medicinal

and herbal plants is addressed in Jordan, GOJ, local communities, private sector, NGOs and the project team are well aware that there is a crucial need for external expertise to allow for knowledge transfer.

Focus on IPP will be increased. More attention will be afforded to product development Interaction with other countries of the region will be explored.

40

Annex 4: Draft Detailed Project Description.JORDAN:Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants Project

This Annex describes the various project components

Component 1: Institutional Strengthening.

This component is divided into six (6) sub-components.

a). The Project Management Unit. The project will establish a Project Management Unit (PMU). It will fund a National Project Manager, a Cultivation Coordinator, an Accountant/Procurement Officer, a Secretary, and a Driver, together with vehicles, equipment and operating costs for a period of five years. To assist the National Project Manager, an International Project Manager will be appointed for the first three years.

Funds would be provided to meet the salaries and operating costs of the PMU over the project’s lifetime. The PMIJ would co-ordinate all the different aspects of the project and the different implementing agencies, especially under the second component. It will be responsible for all procurement, financial management and monitoring & evaluation matters. It will recruit various consultants, produce annual work and procurement plans, compile quarterly financial reports and the annual report. It will organize steering and technical committee meetings and ensure that accounting procedures and reporting are undertaken according to laid down procedures and done in a timely fashion. A project description summary for all the project components is given in Table A at the end of this Annex.

b). Development of Inter-Sector links. In order that the concerns of all interested parties are taken into consideration, it is important to develop links between government agencies such as MOA, MOA GCEP, the growers of M/H plants, the pharmaceutical industry, other producers of M/H products, NGOs and the consumers. A committee will be established to discuss technical and institutional matter of relevance to this sector, including strengthening national policy and having an adequate regulatory capacity to advise the project and to facilitate the conservation of M/H plants, while at the same time promoting their sustainable and expanded use. The committee will meet 6 times per year for the duration of the project with an estimated 12 members. It will advise the project, the industry and the steering and technical committees.

c). Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). The purpose of this sub-component is to build up the existing IPR framework, advise on new product and the licensing of products and establish a workable patent system. International and national consultants will be engaged to examine IPR in other countries and the patent laws in Jordan. A technical committee will be appointed comprising six people to advise government about IPR. This committee will meet six times per year for the first three years.

d). Standards Establishment. This sub-component is to examine existing standards for all the various sectors of the of M/H industry from seeds to volatile oils and where necessary propose new ones. It will look into existing quality of products and the method of selling such products on the national and international markets. It will be backed up by laboratory facilities to test products for quality etc. This laboratory is included under Component 4. International and national consultants will be engaged to examine procedures in Jordan and other countries and make recommendations. A technical committee will be appointed comprising six people to advise government about standards and testing procedures. This committee will meet six times per year for the first three years.

e). Database and Gene Pool for M/H Plants. This sub-component will build upon the existing facilities in NCARTT. A national medicinal database and gene pool will be establish and maintained at the NCARTT HQ in Amman. Links will be established or expanded to databases throughout the world. An international consultant will advise the Project on establishing and maintaining links and providing training to personnel at NCARTT. There will be facilities at NCARTT to all species and varieties, especially rare and endangered ones. This will be a source for their multiplication. Extinct species could

41

be obtained from surrounding countries, if available and then they could be re-introduced. Through networking, contacts will be made worldwide on M/H plants and the flow of information and materials should be of importance to the project. It is envisaged that the project would support one NCARTT staff member and provide money for storage, utilities and consumables throughout the project’s life.

f). Applied Research. There are many technical and social aspects concerned with the growing and production of M/H plants that are still uncertain. Thus, it is proposed to select graduate students to undertake applied research in pursuit of a Masters degree. The project will give support to 16 students over a 2-year period to undertake research in the scientific and social fields. Topics will be chosen by the people from the PMU, NCARTT, the pharmaceutical industry and the universities etc. The results from such research should be of direct benefit.

Component 2. Community Based Support Programs.

This component has two sub-components, namely the in-situ protection and management of M/H plants and the ex-situ production of rare, endangered and popular M/H plants. The first sub-component has two discrete areas in nature reserves where M/H plants will be protected and managed by the local communities and one general initiative protecting ‘hotspots’ throughout the Rift Valley where M/H plants are endangered or rare. The second sub-components will be based in six NCARTT field stations in different agro-climatic zones. These stations will demonstrate methods and techniques to plant, tend, harvest and process M/H plants. The stations will also act as a source of planting materials for M/H stock. Some ex-situ production of rare and endangered species will also occur at the in-situ sites and NCARTT field station personnel will assist communities and individuals in their establishment and management.

a). In-situ Protection and Management

i. Hotspots. (Rift Valley).

‘Hotspots’ are defined as areas of indefinite size where biodiversity is under increasing threat due to human activity, land degradation and environmental anomalies. In Jordan, human activities include the over-harvesting of medicinal plants that are a source of accessible and affordable home health care. This initiative would delimit hotspots whose species are endangered and with the cooperation of people with indigenous knowledge of the management and protection of medicinal and herbal plants identify conservation and management strategies and’ action plans to protect such sites. It is proposed that the Queen Nour Al Hussein Foundation (NHF) in close cooperation with other bodies such as NCARTT, RSCN and the PMU manage up to 20 hotspots spread over a 5-year period starting with 4 and adding four new ones each year.

This sub-component will support studies to: (I) inventory flora and fauna and define the boundaries of the hotspots in collaboration with knowledgeable parties; (ii) assess the supply and demand of medicinal plants currently used by women for day-to-day health care needs in the home; (ii) assess the sustainability of the wild supply; (iii) classify their status as to rare, endangered, or decreasing and significance to Jordan’s biodiversity; (iv) identify guidelines for the sustainable harvesting of wild individuals where cultivation is not possible; and (v) establish methods for propagation and cultivation of selected medicinal plant species in home gardens and in degraded habitats etc. to take pressure off the hotspot and provide an additional source of income. Achieving such objectives would give women a greater opportunity to develop their knowledge base and play a greater role in resource conservation and management and supplement present income generation activities.

The expansion of arable lands (with some degradation), overgrazing, urbanization and industrialization have resulted in serious threats to the natural habitats of M/H species. home and field surveys would be carried out to determine pressures on wild populations and habitats at selected community sites to better understand community dependence on M/H plants for human and livestock healthcare and as an income source.

42

Table 1 gives data on M/H plants collected by women at four sites run by the NI-IF.

Table 1. Medicinal plant species collected by women for home healthcare needs

Species Um Qais Libb Al Amir Frequency

Matricaria aurea D + + +/S 3Paronychia argentea C + + +/S 3Peganum harmala C +/S +/S 2Malabaila secacul NI +/S +/S -i-/S 3Gundelia tourneforti NI +/S +/S + 3Retama raetam C + + + 3Malva sylvestrus NI +/S + + 3Urtica pilulifera C + + + 3Salvia hierosolimitana NI + + 2Cyclamen persicum E + + 2Arum discorides NI +/S + 2Crambe orientalis NI +/S + +/S 3Thymus capitata NI +/S +/S 2Achillea membranacea NI +/S + + 3Foeniculum vulgare R +/S +/S 2Globuhania arabica NI +/S +/S +/S 3

NI - not included in RSCN inventory; C - common; D - decreasing; E - endangered; R - rare.

Another activity supported by the project would be ex-situ conservation and cultivation of medicinal plant species by communities. NCARTT would give training to prospective people who want to start nurseries. This would be part of the ex-situ sub-component. Such nurseries would be a source of high-demand species as they are the first source of healthcare in the rural communities. Suitable land and basic water needs would be sought from the Jordan Valley Authority. The micro-environments of home gardens and selected agricultural sites contain high levels of species of a variety of end uses: medicinal, herbs, spices and varieties of health and nutritional value. Also, the nurseries would be points of experimentation, introduction of new varieties and/or species and genetic diversity as a result of plant (germplasm) exchange and supported by social-cultural diversity. In addition, they would be a source of supply for women wishing to expand medicinal plant home gardens or to establish large income generating agricultural plots.

The outputs of this ‘hotspot’ initiative include:

Biodiversity documentation of selected hotspots. In-situ conservation and management programs identified that reflect community needs and CBD

objectives vis-a-vis the protection of biodiversity and indigenous knowledge. Ex-situ cultivation programs established in kitchen gardens, degraded lands and farms that reduce the

pressure on wild sources in collaboration with communities (women), NCARTT and thepharmaceutical industry.

New source(s) of income generation for communities, especially women. Strengthening public and private sector collaboration. Contributing to Jordan’s education and public awareness programs for resource management.

This initiative would build upon the existing knowledge of women etc. by documenting species and proposing ways to address sustainability concerns within conservation, management and sustainable use component. The project would support the following items:

consultant services in socio-economic surveys of home use and medicinal plant inventories; identification of sustainable harvesting guidelines for in-situ high-demand M/H plant species;

43

consultant services in collaboration with women in the identification of sustainable agriculturalpractices, selection of medicinal plants for cultivation, training extension officers in collaboration with NCARTT, USDA, pharmaceutical industry;

community and leader awareness raising and education campaigns (Component 3); nursery establishment and management; goods (water containers, etc.) and material inputs (fencing, seeds and other planting materials, etc.)

for cultivation; incremental allowances for field staff travel; and incremental allowances for operating expenses.

The core staff for this initiative would consist of a Team Leader and his Deputy both with knowledge on M/H species and their in-situ management, a Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, a secretary/typist and drivers together with vehicles, equipment and operating costs for a period of five years. The location of the hotspot office has still to be decided. There will be national and international consultants for hotspot identification and delineation and assisting communities with drawing up management plans. The core tern, together with the PMU will help communities manage their hotspots. By the end of the project, at least 20 hotspots should be managed by 20 communities containing an estimated 600 families and these areas would have been used for demonstrating in-situ protection and management and ex-situ growing of rare and endangered species. Through production of M/H plants and products the sites will be self-supporting and because of the other activities in the project vibrant rural communities will be fostered.

ii. Mujib and Safawi In-situ Conservation.

The Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve covers 21,500 ha. and is adjacent to the Dead Sea. Four bio-geographical regions are present in the reserve and 396 flora and fauna species have been identified. The average rainfall in this reserve ranges from 250 to 350 mm and it is a water-stressed and eroded area. Local people graze this reserve and some arable agriculture occurs.

The average rainfall in the Safawi area in the northern reaches of the Badia (desert) area ranges from 50 to 250 mm. All the plants recorded in this area are desert species that can withstand drought and high temperatures. It is inhabited by Bedouin families that use it for grazing, but a little arable agriculture occurs using water-harvesting methods. The use of M/H plants for curing human and farm animal diseases is very common. Various M/H plants are reported as rare or extinct. Therefore, it is important to delineate, conserve and manage areas containing these and other commonly used M/H plants. While the boundaries and sites for in-situ conservation have still to be defined, an area similar to the Wadi Mujib reserve, namely 21,500 ha. is envisaged.

The management of these two in-situ areas will be similar, but different agencies will be in charge. The Wadi Mujib reserve will be managed by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) and the Safawi area will be managed by the Badia Research and Development Program (BRDP) under the Higher Council for Research and Technology (HCRT). The Project Management Unit will have ultimate responsibility and will ensure that the other components provide inputs to these areas. Likewise, these two reserves will provide data and information that can be used by the project as a whole. Both the RSCN and the BRDP organizations have been working in these two areas respectively and their knowledge of the sites should be most useful. While the exact number of communities to be included in the two initiatives has still to be determined it is estimated that about 30 villages will be involved at Wadi Mujib and half that number at Safawi.

The villagers will be involved from the outset to identify areas containing valuable and rare/endangered M/H plants and indigenous knowledge will be recorded and use. Women especially will play a key role in the conservation and use of M/H plants. They are the primary sources of home healthcare their knowledge of wild sources of medicinal plants is invaluable. They have the ability to maintain high-use species in home gardens. In many households, they are actively engaged in livestock herding and consequently must administer health care to their animals when sick. Accessing this human and livestock healthcare knowledge base is critical to the success of this project.

44

Traditional health care knowledge is held by the older women “Hajat”. Accordingly, old women diagnose and treat ailments and infections, and treatment is generally free. The “Hajat” are also midwives who have acquired their knowledge through individual experience. No information is available regarding the total number of “Hajats” in the country or number of people treated. Neither is there any information regarding the number of home deliveries by the midwives. Starting with the project sites, an inventory of “Hajats” will be undertaken, including the documentation of their knowledge both of plants and uses. This would provide important information on the distribution and sustainability of supply of medicinal plants, particularly of plants whose future existence might be in doubt. Regardless of the doubts by biomedical practitioners of its validity, treatment by Hajat still remains a viable, effective, cultural acceptable form of health care that needs to be documented and where scientifically proved, to be formally included in Primary Health Care Policy. Such information would be very useful in planning future activities by linking health and agricultural programs. Initially, it is proposed to link the government health clinics in these two project sites with the traditional healers vis-a-vis referrals, etc. for their mutual benefit.

The core staff for these interventions consists of a Manager, Ecologist, six Rangers/Community Support Officers, an Accountant and an Administrator together with vehicles, equipment and operating costs for a period of five years. Back-up support will be provided by the HQ staff both at RSCN and BRDP and the PIAU will oversee the operations. National and international consultants will undertake studies in the dynamics of M/H plant communities, their management and their propagation both in-situ and ex-situ. Other proposed studies include water harvesting trials, soil erosion interventions and community participation programs. Site community management plans will be draw up by the communities in the two in-situ areas, with the support of the two ‘management’ bodies and input by local and international consultants as mentioned above. These plans will include grazing agreements, water-catchment and harvesting measures, enrichment planting, erosion control both of wind and water, natural measures to increase and maintain fertility and integrated pest management initiatives.

Both RSCN and BRDP will ensure that phased management plans are compiled and implemented over a five-year period. Most importantly, these plans will include appropriate management options and guidelines for the sustainable use of M/H plants and their products. In order to relieve the pressure from endangered, rare or popular M/H plants, farmer based cultivation trials will be established. These trials will be undertaken in collaboration with the ex-situ sub-component. An important part of this initiative will be learning by doing and ensuring that results from the various interventions, whether positive or negative, are relayed to farmers and other interested parties through demonstrations and communications. Besides these two chosen sites, another seven sites were identified as areas in need of protection and management. Thus, the best practices from these areas should be documented and be made available to communities’ government and other donors, who may be interested in broadening the scope of the project to most if not all areas of Jordan and to other countries with similar problems.

The outputs of these in-situ initiative include:

Biodiversity documentation of two areas. In-situ conservation and management programs identified that reflect community needs and CBD

objectives vis-a-vis the protection of biodiversity and indigenous knowledge. Pilot ex-situ cultivation programs established in kitchen gardens, degraded lands and farms that

reduce the pressure on wild sources in collaboration with communities (women), NCARTT and thepharmaceutical industry.

An inventory of traditional health practices and the use of this knowledge to forge a link with health clinics etc.

Expanded sources of treatment for humans and farm animals based on traditional medicines. New source(s) of income generation for women etc. Strengthening public and private sector collaboration. Contributing to Jordan’s education and public awareness programs for resource management.

45

This initiative would build upon the existing knowledge of villagers by documenting species and proposing ways to address sustainability concerns within conservation, management and sustainable use component. The project would support the following items:

consultant services in socio-economic surveys of home use and medicinal plant practitioners and inventories;

identification of sustainable harvesting guidelines for in-situ high-demand M/H plant species; consultant services in collaboration with villagers to identify and expand sustainable agricultural

practices, the selection of medicinal plants for cultivation, the training of extension officers incollaboration with NCARTT, USDA, pharmaceutical industry;

community and leader awareness raising and education campaigns (Component 3); nursery establishment and management; goods and material inputs for in-situ management and ex-situ cultivation; project staff in the two areas to give fulltime support. services from the PMU and other components to assist with the successful implementation.

The Project staff in the two areas will give fulltime support to the communities and services from the PMU and other components of the project will assist to ensure its successful implementation. By the end of the project, the two areas containing about 40 to 50 communities and 4000 to 5000 people will be fully in charge of managing and protecting these sites. These areas would have been used to demonstrate in-situ protection and management and ex-situ growing of rare and endangered species. Thus, other sites identified during the preparatory phase could have similar interventions initiated before the end of the 5-year project’s lifetime. Through the production of M/H plants and products the sites will be self supporting and become dynamic rural communities.

iii. Ex-situ Cultivation.

A preliminary study on the Cultivation of M/H Plants was undertaken as part of the preparatory phase of this project. This focused on identifying such species that could be grown successfully under rainfed and irrigated production systems. For the most part, the survey focused on high-demand food crops and spices, but many of these plants also have medicinal value, albeit limited at times. The study detailed problems likely to be encountered in the production of threatened medicinal plant species. Also, consideration was given to ex-situ cultivation and use by local communities of rare species adjacent to the reserve sites as well as by farmers, commercial growers and the pharmaceutical industry.

Monographs for seventy-six species are included in the study providing a botanical description and identifying the ecology, distribution, biodiversity status, chemical constituents, parts collected, medicinal and herb usage, cultivation, propagation and general comments. M/H plant species indigenous to Jordan that have cultivation potential may be grouped into three categories: trees; shrubs; and annual/perennial herbaceous species.

Tree species are adapted to a range of mountainous and wadi areas where rainfall is sufficient for survival. The medicinal properties of the trees have not been fully exploited, even though local people collect parts (bark, root, leaves, fruit, seed) for healthcare needs, or as dyes and for culinary purposes. Reintroducing them in all parts of their natural habitat(s) will help combat land degradation processes (wind and water erosion). Trees that should be considered include Ceratonia siliqua, Moringa peregrina, Salvadora persica, and Zizpuhus spina-christi. Most of these species are tolerance to drought conditions and provide browse for animals as do the indigenous acacia species.

Shrubs are generally well adapted to the drier areas, those receiving less than 200mm annually. These include Lavendula officinalis, Myrtus communis, Teucrium polium, and Peganum harmala. Most provide browse for animals, improve the microclimate and are commonly collected for their medicinal properties. P. harmala (a M/H plant) is not palatable to animals and is widely distributed in the desert and steppe regions. However, the most economically important M/H commercial crops cannot be grown under such conditions without irrigation. Good candidates for cultivation trials apart from the above include Achillea fragrantissima, Alhaji maurorum, Capparis spinosa, and Cassia acutfolia.

46

Annual and perennial herbs contain many plant species that have medicinal properties and lend themselves to cultivation. They include the following that are also identified in the M/H inventory: Ammi visnaga, Anchusa strigosa, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Citrullis colocynthis, Ecballium elaterium, Gundelia tournefortit Paronychia argand impoentea, Pergularia tomentosa, Ruta chalepensis, Teucrium polium, Urginea maritima, and Urtica pilulifera. Most of these species could be cultivated under a range of environmental conditions. Citrullis colocynthis tolerates high temperatures, salinity and low soil pH and could be cultivated on marginal lands. Capsella bursa-pastoris could do well in poor soils - stony, shallow. Urtica pilulifera can be grown in high moisture soils, humid shaded areas. The cultivation potential of Gundelia tournefortii is presently undergoing assessment regarding management properties.

Target areas for cultivation trials with emphasis on rainfed sites include: the sub-tropical environments of the Jordan Valley slopes and the temperate highlands. High rainfall areas with land slopes less than 9% are deemed more suitable for annual species cultivation. High rainfall areas with slopes more than 9% could be used for trees and shrubs. Drier areas receiving low rainfall and where water harvesting is possible should favor trees and herbaceous species.

The number of herbal plants currently being commercially cultivated is relatively small. In 2000, seven (7) crops were cultivated on 337 ha. with garlic occupying 50% of the land and parsley 39%. Plants cultivated for their medicinal and herbal properties are also relatively small - 10. Both categories rely primarily on irrigation. In low rainfall areas water harvesting offers opportunities for cultivation and added income, (EU supported study). Herbal species (e.g. oregano, sage and mint) with high water requirements that cannot be met by rainfall alone and plants (e.g. medicinal) adapted to marginal, low rainfall areas would benefit from water harvesting. In addition, as gathered from anecdotal evidence, many women grow M/H plants in kitchen gardens for self-consumption and for local trading.

Research and technology transfer needs are considerable. At present it is restricted to the Ministry of Agriculture through NCARTT, the Nour Al Hussein Foundation and individual enterprising farmers (men and women) who see the potential to diversify the cropping systems and generate additional income. There is an urgent need for intensive, systematic research to identify sustainable cultivation practices for optimum production. Success will be enhanced by good research and technology transfer. Collaboration at the community, national and international levels is essential to the success of the cultivation phase of the project (hence the proposed Master’s program under Component 1). Activities that need to be addressed include: crop adaptation, management, integrated pest management, tissue culture, crop improvement, hybridization, organic farming, post harvest operations, use of treated waste water, salinity toleration, drought tolerance, water use efficiency and social studies, etc. This background material has been used when generating this ex-situ sub component.

NCARTT has been chosen as lead agency for the cultivation and demonstration of M/H plants. NCARTTs experience in herbal (with medicinal value) cultivation started in 1996 with the Initiative to Combat Desertification. Herbal plants were identified that could contribute to the control of natural resource degradation, and where applicable, to restore productivity. This involved the identification of in-situ species and their ex-situ cultivation by farmers. Research trials and demonstrations were conducted to test and verify the suitability of cultivation and management practices for the most promising herbal species. The demonstrations were also used for training and technology transfer purposes. A best-bet practice package was developed for 6 herb field crops (cumin, black cumin, fenugreeeki, anise, caraway and fennel). Between 1997/98 to 2001/02 the land under cultivation increased from 4 ha. to 243 ha., farmer participation rose from 5 to 19 and average area per crop/farmer increased from 2 to 4ha. No production figures are available.

NCARTT will be responsible for this sub-component. NCARTT started cultivation trial under rainfed conditions with various M/H species at their research station at Madaba (Mashaqar). The objective was and is to demonstrate cost effective and profitable cultivation methods for various high-demand species that can be grow by farmers as alternative to the traditional grain and fodder crops, etc. It is proposed to

47

expand these demonstrations and trials to six NCARTT research stations, covering different agro-climatic zones. These are as follows, (Table 2).

Table 2. NCARTT Field Stations for Ex-situ Demonstrations

Station Zone Growing Conditions

Soil Type Comments

Masaqar Upland Rainfed Alkaline Seed multiplication stationMaru Upland Rainfed AlkalineRabba Upland Rainfed AlkalineGhorsafi Jordan Valley Irrigation Saline Relatively high heat conditionsKarma Jordan Valley Irrigation Saline Relatively high heat conditionsKhaldean Steep/Desert Irrigation Saline Heat and drought

These stations will act as demonstration sites for surrounding farmers and annual courses will be run each year on nursery practice and seed multiplication; establishment; tending and protection; harvesting; storage and production; and business practice. There will be separate courses for trainers and farmers/other interested parties. In addition farm visits will be organized. NCARTT will also advise the in-situ sub-component farmers and kitchen garden owners on cultivation tending and harvesting techniques etc.

The core staff would consist of 3 Agronomists, 1.5 Irrigation Specialists and 1.5 Plant Breeders. These would be recruited from existing NCARTT staff and would perform other non-project duties. In addition there would be drivers (including tractor drivers) casual laborers and national consultants. All the six stations will be provided with vehicles, equipment and materials needed to successfully demonstrate the cultivation of M/H plants for five years.

Over the course of five years, it is estimated that many M/H species will have been successfully grown at the stations and out-grown in fields and kitchen gardens. In collaboration with Component 3 training courses will be given to farmers and community leaders for ex-situ M/H production and in-situ management etc. and site visits will be made to the six stations and farmers who are growing M/H plants. Also, individual women are essential resource people if viable cultivation practices are to researched and implemented. Women have considerable knowledge regarding the sources of wild species, their ecology, good harvesting practices and use and should be involved at all stages of the development and implementation process. They have already shown their abilities to utilize micro-credit to establish small household income generating activities by cultivating high-demand herbal species. Thus, their participation in all aspects of M/H cultivation is essential to project success and sustainability.

Component 3. Public Awareness and Education.

This component consists of two sub-components connected with environmental education and public awareness of M/H plants. The first concerns the introduction or expansion of knowledge about M/H plants in formal and informal education and the second concerns various initiatives related to public awareness aspects of M/H plants.

48

i. Environmental Education.

This sub-component will examine how information about M/H plants and their environment can be included in the formal education curricula of schools and universities and the informal education programs for communities etc. Consultants will be engaged to look into curricula development and work closely with the Departments of Education and Higher Education under MOE. Once the curricula is approved there will be training courses for trainers, who in turn will train teachers. Publications and some equipment will be prepared for schools, universities and communities and M/H planting materials will be distributed to schools and communities so that they can raise them in the school garden or at village centers, etc.

ii. Public Awareness.

Training. As mentioned above under the ex-situ sub-component, training courses will be given to farmers, and community leaders on the growing, harvesting and processing of M/H plants and their products: training will include management of in-situ M/H sites. The role of NGOs especially women’s NGOs is critical if M/H protection and cultivation is to be implemented, thus NGO’s will be included in the training program. To facilitate this training, there will be training courses for trainers. Also farm visits will be arranged throughout the lifetime of the project so that potential and actual growers of M/H plants can see at first hand these plants being grown and processed. Over the lifetime of the project, at least 1,200 farmers (including women) will have been given training course at the six NCARTT stations, 340 trainers will have been given intensive training courses, 1,800 farmer visits to 60 areas will have been made and information and materials, especially seeds and planting stock will be made available to fanners throughout the country.

Publications. To keep farmers, communities, NGOs, the media and other interested parties informed about the project and to provide them with information, the project will produce pamphlets, posters, press releases and articles etc. Also video documentaries will be made on all aspects of the project for showing in community centers and at schools. Information on the project will be made available over the world-wide-web and the project will have a home page that will be updated frequently. For the first two years there will be one person in charge of publications, but from the third year, as activities increase, another staff member will be added. There is provision for equipment and materials to enable the publications department to undertake its work in a professional manner. It is not yet decided where the publications department will be housed. This may be in an existing government department, or it could be situated in the PMU.

Component 4. Income Generation.

This component is concerned with income generation and will mainly provide local and national benefits. But without it, it is doubtful if the protection of globally important medicinal and herbal plants would be effective, especially in the long run. While most of the money will corn from non-GEF sources, there is a small GEF intervention. This concerns the growing and use by communities of endangered and rare M/H plants to relieve the pressure on the wild stock of such plants. This component has eight sub-components.

i. Organic Farming Certification. All collected M/H plants from the wild are grown under natural conditions without the addition of herbicides, pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Indeed, the only nutrients that are added come from those dissolved in the rainfall or are from animal droppings. Again, most if not all ex-situ production of M/H plants has no application of pesticides or herbicides, but some chemical fertilizers may have been added, although the application of organic fertilizers is more likely, if fertilizers are added at all. Thus, products made from M/H plants such as essential oils, spices, herbs and medicines can be said to be from organically grown products. Such products should command a higher price, both within Jordan and on the export market. Therefore, one thrust of this component is to examine how Jordan can certify M/H produces that are organically grown. International consultants will be engaged to study the certification requirements of the European Union (especially Germany) and the USA, the two principal markets for organically grown products. A technical committee will first advise the consultants

49

and then determine the steps to take to undertake the certification process, if feasible. It is envisaged that the technical committee of about 12 people from all interested parties will hold bi-monthly meeting over a period of 3 years, starting in 2003.

ii. Standards for Medicinal and Herbal Plants.

In order to enhance the harvested products and semi-processing, there should be uniform standards concerning collection, cleaning, permissible foreign bodies, grading, packaging and trading. If such standards are adopted by the growers and the packers, then Jordanian grown M/H plants could be traded on the national and international markets with a guarantee of quality. National and international consultants will be appointed to examine this aspect and make recommendations to a technical committee. This technical committee will comprise about 12 people with representatives from all interested parties and meet bi-monthly over a 3-year period.

iii. Processing Standards for M/H Plant Products.

As with the proposed standards for harvested products, there should be standards for manufactured products from M/H plants. A similar technical committee of about 12 members will be established to advise on product standards and there will be national and international consultants to examine standards in Jordan and internationally and make recommendations to the committee. It is envisaged that this committee will meet bi-monthly for a period of 3 years starting in 2003.

iv. Quality Control.

In order to maintain the quality of M/H products, especially for essential oils and ingredients for medicines etc. it is necessary to have an independent laboratory to monitor products and ingredients so that they conform to the established standards. A national consultant will investigate standards and recommendations will be made to a technical committee, again composed of about 12 people, meeting bi-monthly for a 3-year period, starting in 2004. An independent laboratory, (may be one belonging to a university) will be furnished with the necessary equipment and consumables so that it will be able to test products. People submitting samples for testing will have to pay for the service, but the initial capital cost of equipment plus consumables for 4-years will be provided by a donor or donors. This quality control laboratory will meet international standards and be in a position to issue certificates for chemical and products that are in conformity with the set standards.

v. Product Development

Product development should be an essential part of expanding the market for M/H plants and their products. Thus, it is proposed to engage national and international consultants to look into all aspects of product development and to advise a technical committee on the possibilities for developing new products or enhancing existing ones. The technical committee will comprise about 12 people and meet bi-monthly for the duration of the project. It will work closely with the other committees especially the one on marketing, described later. In addition, a delegation of M/H experts from China will visit Jordan in the summer of 2002, led by a member of the consulting team from USDA. This delegation will examine the various facets of the M/H industry from the growing of the plants to the manufacture of products. This could lead to a link being forged between China and Jordan in this field. China has had centuries of experience of medicinal products from plants.

vi. Rural Community Cluster Development Program.

The USA has provided the GOJ with a grant of about US$ 7 million to revitalize the economic and social life of communities. Currently, the Ministry of Planning is seeking applications from qualified organizations with significant international experience for a cooperative agreement to implement the Rural Community Cluster Development Program (RCCDP). This program is aimed at promoting citizen participation in and between communities to identify and address the critical needs for the economic and

50

social revitalization of community life. Specifically, RCCDP working through community and cluster committees will prioritize, plan and implement projects to revitalize small but essential infrastructure, create income-generating opportunities; improve health, education and the quality of life; address critical environmental problems; and promote civic participation. Funds will be allocated to grantees over a period of 30 months.

The M/H plant project seems an ideal channel to undertake most if not all the goals of the RCCDP. Already it intends to engage three international qualified organizations in the project, namely the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), the Badia Research and Development Program (BRDP) and the Queen Nour Al-Hussein Foundation (NHF). Other related organizations that could qualify for funds under the RCCDP and could be incorporated into the project include the Jordanian Society for the Protection of the Environment (JSPE) and the Jordanian Society to Combat Desertification (JSCD). The recipients will identify clusters of communities that constitute groupings with natural, social or economic ties in selected areas in cooperation with the MOPs Project Management Unit for Enhanced Productivity Program with assistance from USAID/Jordan.

Members of the current consultancy team from USAID have been asked by USAID to go to Jordan in the near future to advise NGOs how to apply for such funding and how to formulate project proposals and work plans. Specifically, the team member will target the RSCN, BRDP the NHF and perhaps the JSCD and the JSPE.

It is envisaged that these organizations will each compile a project covering five village clusters. The outline of the project proposal could be as follows:

a) Undertake a socio-economic survey of the villages to determine if they are potential candidates for the RCCDP. This survey will include the use and sale of M/H plants.

b) Identify the most suitable M/H plants for specific agro-climatic zones.c) Hold community meetings to discuss prospects for M/H plants.d) Identify potential growers and producers.e) Determine infrastructure requirements.f) Establish nurseries to supply M/H plants to individuals and schools.g) Demonstrate M/H plant establishment, tending and harvesting.h) Provide equipment through a loan program (irrigation, nursery facilities, etc.).i) Demonstrate, drying and processing methods.j) Provide suitable buildings for storage, processing and packaging again through a loan and/or

grant program.k) Provide market intelligence and organize marketing.l) Provide business training.

It is estimated that the grant and loan component from the MOP for each cluster would be US$ 540 million over a 30 month period of which US$ 250 million would be a revolving loan fund: the revolving fund would be reinvested in the village clusters. There would be in-kind inputs by the beneficiaries of US$ 48,750 spread over the 5-year project lifetime and the government would contribute US$ 6,250 in kind over the 5-year project lifetime. Because rare and endangered M/H plant species would be grown by villagers to relieve the pressure on hotspots and reserves, the GEF would contribute US$ 17,500 per cluster over the last 30 months of the project, to ensure continuity.

Four or five NGOs including the ones already proposed for the project namely RSCN, BRDP and NHF would apply for funds from the MOP. The total number of village cluster would be 20 and each NGO would organize 5 clusters. Therefore an additional NGO, perhaps the JSCD or the JSPE would become part of the project.

It is envisaged that a community/education officer would be added to the personnel of the RSCN, BRDP and NHF and that a required staff list for the other NGO would have to be compiled. Each village cluster would have a nursery and, for at least the first 3 years, a nursery manager would be required on site. The

51

project would supply the necessary equipment, but the villagers themselves would be in charge of drawing up plans and running the activities.

vii. Market Identification.

An essential part of promoting M/H plants and their products is to have up-to-date market information and to investigate new markets for M/H products both nationally and internationally. National consultants will be employed throughout the lifetime of the project to undertake market identification and collect market information. International consultants will be engaged for the first two years to provide reports on international opportunities. Also as mentioned above under Product Development, it is hoped to forge links with the M/H sector in China (and other countries) in order to promote M/H products from Jordan. A technical committee of 12 people will meet bi-monthly over the lifetime of the project to advise on all aspects of marketing and market intelligence.

viii. Micro-credit (Revolving Fund).

There will be a revolving fund of US$ 1 million under the Rural Community Cluster Development Program. This fund would be administrated by cooperative arrangements with on going initiatives that aim to provide micro-credit to the poor, such as: the Enhanced Productivity Program of the Socio-Economic Development Programme; the King Abdullah II Foundation, USAID AMIR project, or USAID’s Jordanian-US Business Partnerships. This money will be used by village clusters for the development of village enterprises. If other funds are obtained then the scope of micro-credit lending could be expanded beyond the proposed 20 village clusters. After the RCCDP is finished, then it is assumed that the money in the revolving fund could be lent for other rural activities outside the original clusters. No funds have been put under this heading, as they are included under RCCDP.

52

Table A: Project Description SummaryJordan: Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants Project

1. Institutional strengthening

How Who When, how long, how many, how big

Where

a. Project Management Unit (PMU) including administration, finance, procurement, technical assistance, and consultants for M&E and reporting.

Recruitment of staff, annual work & procurement plans, quarterly financial reports, annual report, annual project meeting, steering committee meeting, monitoring and evaluation, mid-term review, mid-term audit, external review at the project’s end.

PMU set up to be determined, reports by PMU and technical teams, audit by independent firm, external review (3-person panel of international experts.

Project duration 2003-2008Quarterly reports, 31 Mar., 30 June, 30 Sep., 31 Dec.

PPU: Mushaqer StationPMU: TBD

b. Develop regulatory rules and standards for production (organic or traditional) and post-harvest treatment.

Establish inter-sector study team charged with identifying what will be regulated and by whom (for each plant product).

The team is composed of MOA, MOH, pharmaceutical industry, Jordan Ass. Of Growers, Consumers. They recommend implementing agencies.

Task force shall identify the plant products from the current project and its pipeline species within the first year (and as needed for pipeline species).

Based on each product a responsible entity institution will be assigned.

c. Developing intellectual property rights, policy and guidelines.

Build upon existing IPR framework; create products through investment in R&D; establish patent system; licensing tailored to specific products that are developed.

Legal advisors on patent law; Ministry of Trade, Jordan Ass. Of Manufacturers of Medicinal and Pharmaceuticals Appliances.

Task force shall identify the plant products from the current project and its pipeline species within the first year (and as needed for products from pipeline species).

Based on each product a responsible entity institution will be assigned.

d. Establishing standards, safety, efficacy testing, etc.

Quality of product, measurement methods (seeds cleanliness, foreign matter, ground herbage, volatile oil concentration, indirect methods). Safety.

Standards for target species.

Open marketing facility in 2004 for sale of medicinal, spice and essential oil plants, set up lab in 2004 to ascertain quality and provide labeling.

Market facility in Amman, quality testing in government lab.

e. Establishing a national medicinal plant database and updating gene bank.

Establish from existing software products tailored to the task (USDA-ARS-GRIN), get assistance from NPGS in USDA-ARS, transfer existing data, institute data quality monitoring system. Update database and gent bank. Include monitoring.

NCARTT, USDA-ARS, ICARDA, cooperating institutions in Jordan and the region.

10% of existing data in year 1, testing of system in year 2, enter remaining data in year 3, network to cooperating institutions in year 4, demonstrate utility of system in year 5 in final reports.

NCARTT central computer system with networking to sites at cooperating institutions. Include local knowledge.

f. Training for students in the various technical areas. Capacity building for Government.

Establish criteria, allocate slots to schools, final review of topics and students by project stakeholders in a transparent process.

Competitive selection process with a pool of topics debated and determined by independent review by the school regulations.

For example:2 MS students in Jordan @$10k/yr in 2003 and 05, 4 MS students in Jordan @$10k/yr in 2004, 05 & 06, 2 MS students in Jordan @ $10/yr in 2007.

Total 60 MS degrees with 5 UJ, 5 JUST. 5 Al-Baqaa and 1 TDB, 50% male, 50% female.

53

2. Community based support program

How Who When, how long how many, how big

Where

a. Three main in-situ pilot sites established. Rare and endangered species recorded and protected and demonstrations organized.

Three main areas run by three key institutions in Jordan (HCST/NCARTT/ RSCN) will permit constructive competition and comparison of approaches. Workshops, public awareness, socio-economic surveys.

Teams designed to work together in groups that include all beneficiaries.

Scaled to resources available and allocated based on competitive open, transparent process.

Project zones specified below.

SAFAWI. Outline the project site activities and inputs needed for the PIP.

Identify rare/endangered and potentially profitable species and establish baseline data on the state of the particular M/H plant field and market situation that can be monitored through time.

BRDP and partners in the target zone.

TBD Specific sites in the Eastern Badia near Safawi TBD.

UPPER SLOPSThe project site activities and inputs needed for the Project Implementation Plan (PIP).

Identify rare/endangered and potentially profitable species and establish a baseline condition that can be monitored through time.

NHF, MOA/NCARTT and partners in the target zone.

TBD Agro-biodiversity sites managed by farmers in return for technology package arrangements with cooperating institutions in the north (NHF, NCARTT, JUST), central (UJ, NCARTT), south (NHF, NCARTT, RSCN).

WADI MUJIBThe project site activities and input needed for the PIP.

Identify rare/endangered and potentially profitable species and establish a baseline condition that can be monitored through time.

RSCN and partners in the target zone.

TBD Sub-division of work into the upper, middle and lower reaches of Wadi Mujib.

b. Ex-situ cultivation trials of M/H plants established. Propagation and cultivation methods for selected M/H plants developed including crop improvement techniques and agronomic practices. Undertake demonstrations and technology transfer.

Spread knowledge from existing producers to other interested growers and make the links to pharmaceutical businesses that are interested in buying produce under contract and known standards of quality.Establish central M/H farmers’ market for species entering the traditional market.Promote a seed production effort that will keep up with demand as it is generated. This starts with help from the project but must be transferred to the private sector as soon as possible.

Teams should be linked to an agency (TBD) that will take on the extension needs of the project. A trusted intermediary might be housed in the pharma- ceutical association.Certification office in the MOA (TBD).

JCO (TBD).

Focus first on a market analysis and launch the effort with the “starting line-up” of M/H plants in the project (zatar, cumin, black cumin, fenugreek, caraway, sage, chamomile) followed by pipeline species.

Across the country but coordinated through the NCARTT station at Mushaqer.

54

3. Public Awareness How Who When, how long, how many, how big

Where

a. Environmental education. Promote action-oriented activities and require a PR output to accompany each mid-year and annual report.

Programs are generated at the government and university level and transferred through the appropriate links to secondary and primary schools in the project zones. Concentrate activities such as school and community nurseries, M&E by students and their teachers with follow-up to understand how the data are processed and evaluated.

Make link to UNDP Small Grants Program for a competitive grants program in a co-financing arrangement.

Make available 3 grants of $10k each year in the Small Grants Program.

One per study zone with UNDP and project funding.

b. Public awareness campaigns including women’s development implemented.

Site visit to in-situ, ex-situ and demonstrations. Exchange visits (farmer to farmer, regional visits, etc.). Radio, TV, videos, newspapers, magazines, international newspaper, internet, extension programs. A strategy is needed that will focus the message and make it well targeted and clear. Informal environmental education at the community level.

PMU, project team leaders, participating NGOs. Website in Arabic and English.

The focus should be project and action-oriented. The public needs to see what has been done and with whom. Those who have benefited should speak if they are satisfied, provide constructive criticism to improve delivery and augment resources to target groups.

Local, regionally, internationally by all stakeholders, team leaders, project participants and managers.

4. M/H income generation

How Who When, how long, how many, how big

Where

a. Certification of organically grown produce.

Select a short list of three models from countries where organic certification is working. Modify for Jordanian conditions and produce a local certification system after a trial period to learn appropriate lessons for each product.

Depends on the crop but most certainly would involve the regulating agency in Jordan; SEKEM in Egypt, USDA in the US, and a model from the region or Europe (Germany).

Focus first on a market analysis and launch the effort with the “starting line-up” of M/H plants in this project (zatar, cumin, black cumin, fenugreek, caraway, sage, chamomile) followed by pipeline species.

At least one model per target zone (Safawi, Wadi Mujib, and upper slopes).

b. M/H plant materials prepared according to standards. Processing ability enhanced, chemical analysis and quality control done. Product development by communities/private sector.

For species; a community and food industry link is needed for post-harvest treatment of the product to improve value, packaging, longevity, shipping conditions and inventory control. For pharmaceutical

In combination with industry champions such as Kabatillo and the Jordan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers. The system should be “owned” by the private sector with the project partners and government catalyzing new product development.

As many project ideas that can bit the market after creation of a business plan. Equipment requirements.

Where needed in the country.

c. Rural community cluster development program.

Establish 20 village clusters to promote the development of M/H plants and their products. MOP funding through USAID.

RSCN, BRDP, NHF, JSPE, JSCD.

In 20 village clusters. Five years 3 (0 month funding)

Throughout Jordan.

55

4. M/H income generation

How Who When, how long, how many, how big

Where

c. Market identification, market intelligence, export opportunities and building partnerships with the pharmaceutical sector.

M/H market awareness information must be developed that keeps track of the supply and demand in the international and national market. Government market intelligence should help to guide policy on which crops should be promoted. Link with successful Dead Sea products etc.

Inter-sector linkages will be exploited and the financing of the market service should be established as a ‘check-off’ fund from successful crops as they are commercialized. New ideas must be continually tested and given assistance through the grant system and micro-credit once concept proof has been demonstrated.

Private sector venture capitalists should be alerted to opportunities as they arise.

Generated in Amman and distributed to farmers by the mechanisms identified under public awareness.

d. Micro-credit available to individuals and communities for M/H initiatives.

Business plans will be the standard for evaluation of project ideas but the project must supply assistance to disadvantaged farmer with good ideas.

Allocation of resources TBD in the Workshop. Co-financing to be sought from the GOJ and donors.

56

Annex 5: Summary of Work Undertaken under the PDF-BJORDAN: Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants Project

Medicinal Plants Socio-Economic Survey Summary

A significant percentage of the Jordanian population use extensively medicinal plants and their products. An active trade and market in medicinal plant products occurs as a result of the: (i) diversity and richness of medicinal plants; (ii) spatial distribution of species due to geography, lands use and climate; (iii) concentrations of consumer demand in the urban centers of Amman, Irbid and Zarqa.; (iv) active collection by rural women for home and livestock use and additional income; and (v) a mixture of socio-economic factors, including cultural, that sustain and motivate demand for indigenous healthcare products.

Trade and marketing records while being maintained by traders, vendors and commercial outlets were not easily accessible in such a preliminary survey. Many individuals expressed concern over the increasing difficulty in obtaining certain products and rising costs. They were willing to provide information, however, such information could not be officially verified because government statistics on such trade and marketing are far from complete. Between 1994-2000, imports of medicinal plants and herbs were dominated by turmeric, oregano and anise. Total imports in 2000 were 2.7mt with a value of l,224,758JD and of aromatic oils 102,885 mt worth 404,255 JD. Exports of medicinal, herbal and aromatic plants were l,l28,277mt worth 492,345JD (DOS, External Trade Bulletin, 2001). Jordan imported three times what it exported at considerable cost.

Of the 217 surveyed respondents 155 were retailers, 3 wholesalers, 27 wholesale and retailing; 12 retailing and processing. The remainder carried a combination of activities including: importing, exporting, wholesaling, retailing, and processing.

Wholesale

The medicinal plant market is characterized by the existence of several market segments that include direct consumers and/or patients, indigenous healers, small traders, pharmaceutical companies and exporters with the first three presently dominating the market. Stores that sell medicinal plants and herbal products are concentrated in Amman (36%), Zarqa (13%), Maa’n (11%), Irbid (8%), and Karak (6%). More than 85% of stores are in urban centers, the remaining in rural areas. The conclusion being that rural residents must rely on availability of wild or home-grown plant-based sources of healthcare needs.

Medicinal plant products are traded primarily in raw form or with limited processing, and with virtually no control regarding quality or safety. Some products are packed using different types of packing materials with different weights. While the processing and packaging may not be in a sophisticated manner, the specific use and mixing of different plant parts for particular treatments is common. Sixty-five percent of shop traders sell medicinal plants unpacked, 12% packed and the remainder (22%) sell both packed and unpacked depending on type of plants and purchaser preference. The major initial delivery points of fresh plant materials in Jordan are the three wholesale markets in Amman, Zarqa and Irbid. The majority of products are marketed in the three centers. Some collectors’ and farmers’ products are consigned to commission agents in the wholesale markets who sell the products to buyers on the behalf of collectors and farmers. Obtaining detailed and reliable information about the percentage of products passing through every market channel was not possible. Future surveys need to establish close relationships with wholesalers to be sure they obtain reliable data. Nevertheless, it is believed that 70-80% of all fresh medicinal plant materials pass through the wholesale markets, while the remainder go through other channels.

57

Two-fifths of medicinal plants and products at the retail level are sold by only four retailers: one half by the largest eight and about 60% by the largest twelve firms. Many economists would classify’ this situation as “high” economic concentration, indicating a potential for monopolistic pricing. This situation of high concentration occurs in most countries. For instance four wholesalers dominate trade of medicinal plants in Albania, twenty-one in Germany and ten in Bulgaria.

Retail

At least ninety-seven medicinal plants and herbs are traded and consumed in Jordan. They are sold in the form of seed, leaves (fresh or dry), stems, bark, roots, bulbsIcormsIrhizomes, and extracts. Mountain knot-grass is the only medicinal plant where all parts are m demand. Raw plant materials are frequently bought by consumers who will grind them at home following instructions given by the trader or healer. Based on interviewers with retailers it is estimated that 2,973mt of plants and products are sold annually. Oregano (raw or processed) dominates the market at 770mt, followed by fenugreek, chamomile, sage, coriander, turmeric, anise, sommak, parsley and jargeer. The retail sales volume of these top ten plants represents an estimated 80% of the total retail volume of ninety-seven medicinal plants in Jordan.

Medicinal plants and/or their products obtained in across the counter sales are in many forms. They include: infusions; concentrates; inhalants; powders; poultices; and whole seeds for planting or extracts. About one third of retailers carry out some form of processing that may include: washing; screening; chopping; drying; grinding; distilling; peeling, mixing; grading; and packaging. Most retailers carry out some form of packaging, an indication of the increasing demand by the consumer for more hygienic products.

The level of consumption by consumers for the major products while generally steady throughout the year does have a peak in demand during the winter season for winter-related infections and ailments. The demand for chest, nasal, and common cold related medicines such as oregano, chamomile, anise, herba-alba and yarrow increases substantially during winter months (December and January). The demand for henna, a coloring agent as well as a medicinal, increases during the summer months, which is usually the time for marriages.

Sources of Supply

The vast majority of medicinal plants and herbs traded and retailed in Jordan are harvested from wild populations, with insignificant cultivation taking place except for a few products e.g. oregano, sage, anise and chamomile. These products are harvested within Jordan and from the border areas of neighboring countries such as Syria, Iraq and Palestine. The supply of high-demand value plants has declined in recent years leading to concerns within the industry and conservation agencies. Sixty-three medicinal and herbs plants are being collected between the five surveyed sites: Shaubak 49 plants by 13 collectors; Mujib 42 and 10; Wadi Araba 12 and 10; Safawi 28 and 10; and Ajloun 28 and 9. The high-demand species include: oregano, thyme, chamomile, sage, herba-alba, yarrow, mountain knotgrass, and mints. Volumes for individual species were not available.

58

Table. Average Selling Price of High-Demand Medicinal and Herbs Plants in Surveyed Sites

Medicinal Plants No. of Respondents Avg. Selling Price JD/kg

oregano 3 1.0sage 3 0.8chamomile 2 0.9herba-alba 2 0.7yarrow 2 0.7arum 2 1.9raqeta 2 1.9enab 1 1.0mountain knotgrass 1 1.0thyme 1 0.7besom 1 0.8mustard 1 1.0colocynth 1 0.6arena 1 0.6halblob 1 1.0showemra 1 7.0

Collectors of medicinal and herbal plants and/or their parts from the wild are mainly rural women. Their knowledge is related to use both for human and livestock needs in their role as sheep and goat herders. The most favorable harvesting period is spring time. Some people have accused them of being them of depleting the source of supply. This is debatable as the plants are not only a source of free healthcare, but a supplementary income. Any medicinal plant cultivation project needs to seek the knowledge of such women regarding ecology, optimal harvesting time(s), uses and product quality.

Popular species, which are available in declining quantities in rural areas, now are being more heavily harvested from the few public forests and other protected areas. Harvesting takes place without the permission of the landowners or local authorities. Women in rural communities report an increase in visits by urban collectors and buyers during the spring months which has led to a further decline in the medicinal plant resource-base. At present, commercial production is limited to women who have received financial assistance and training from the Noor Al-Hussein Foundation, the Hashemite Fund and other conservation agencies that promote cultivation by women. Medicinal and herbal plants commonly grown by rural women in home gardens include: sage and oregano. However, at this time production is low, but the women are gaining knowledge and can be a valuable source of supply for future needs. A planned production strategy needs to be identified for the women to commit themselves to expanding their cultivation holdings.

Cultivation in the vicinity of surveyed sites takes place on only twenty-eight farms. Sage is the only plant cultivated, usually in small areas (10-100 square meters) with only one farm exceeding one dunum.

Commercial production is minimal at present, but increasing to supply mainly local markets. Production is focused on supplying fresh or dried oregano, sage and mints, as well as anise seeds. To date production has not focused on high-value plants for pharmaceutical companies or foreign markets. The demand for natural products and supplements in Europe and North America offers many opportunities for Jordan to establish itself as producer of such high-demand quality products. Sales in Europe exceeded US$3 billion and in the US$26 billion in 2000. The EU-Jordan agreement signed May 2, 2002 offers Jordan an opportunity to compete more effectively in the European market. Between 1992-96 European imports were on average 70,000 mt per year. Jordan is well suited to expand its present production of oregano,

59

anise, cumin, fennel, turmeric and aromatic mint oils, and develop a sustainable industry that provides for its own needs and a growing international demand. However, there are a number of problems that first need to be resolved.

The Future

Protection of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) is of concern regarding the future growth of the medicinal and herb plant business. During the past decade Jordan has started to amend and modernize its copyright law. IPR protection is considered a necessary component of domestic policy and critical in attracting foreign investment. As a member of WTO Jordan was required to bring its IPR legislation in line with international standards and treaties. However, further research is required on implications for biodiversity and human rights.

There is potential for commercial expansion building on cooperation with collectors and small farmers. However, there are several problems and constraints. For example, institutional constraints are linked to an absence of a strong interest by public and private sector companies, agencies and institutions regarding a strategy for converting the medicinal and herbal plant business into a sustainable one. Marketing problems are linked to an absence of regulations relating to grading, standards, safety, efficacy, formulation, dosage and packaging. Production problems include inconsistency of supply, both regarding quality and quantity. Declining populations of several high-value wild species germplasm limit product development opportunities. Inadequate agricultural extension and training services limit quality production.

Based on the socio-economic analysis a number of recommendations where made. They include: Establishing a supportive, consistent, positive policy and regulatory enabling environment. Providing incentives for promoting medicinal and herb plant production. Developing a market-oriented production strategy. Supporting public and private sector research programs to support market-oriented production. Setting-up an efficient marketing structure and infrastructure. Harmonizing government policies in related sectors. Establishing a monitoring and evaluation system to assess activities and measure impact on the

ability of Jordan to conserve, manage and sustainably utilize its medicinal and herbal plant resources.

Inventory of Medicinal and Herbal Plants Summary

The inventory provides an indication of the number and diversity of medicinal plant species in the four different bio-geographical zones: Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian, Saharo-Arabian, and Sudanian. These zones play a major role in supporting the different types of biodiversity. The five study locations had representative examples of ten of the recognized thirteen vegetation systems identified in Jordan. In addition, the inventory provided baseline information for conservation, management and sustainable use of such plant genetic resources. A total of 900 plant species were recorded of which 94 were identified as of medicinal value. Sixty-four were common, three endangered, five rare, eight decreasing, one endemic, one extinct, and twelve introduced. Special emphasis was placed on the knowledge of, and role that women play in conservation, management and sustainable use of medicinal plants for human and livestock health needs.

The Ajloun Woodland Reserve was established in 1988 with a surface area of 12km2 that supports Evergreen Oak Forest and agricultural lands under grains and fruit tree cultivation. Diversity is low due to being only one vegetation type. Only 172 plant species have been recorded, 26 species are of medicinal value. Most medicinal species are classified as common; while 4 are decreasing in occurrence and one is

60

rare. Spring is the main season for harvesting/collecting medicinal plants; however many plants are quickly sold as storage facilities are generally lacking.

Within the communities that have access to the reserve it is the older women “Hajat” who collect and are the most knowledgeable regarding the use of plants for health care. Such women traditionally farm, cultivate, harvest plants and take care of livestock on family lands. Respondents identified 47 plants used to treat various ailments and infections. “What we do not see, we do not treat”. A list of infections treated within five sites is at the end of this document. Treatments are divided along gender lines. Two plants are used to treat livestock health needs.

Until recently the majority of plants used for treatments were in abundance. Consequently few attempts were made to cultivate, either intercropped in home gardens or on private lands. Information was difficult to obtain as use is generally considered the secret of the old women “Hajat”. Some women have been encouraged by increasing demands for medicinal plants and have started their own business as herbalists. Excessive collecting has resulted in the scarcity of Matricaria aurea, Majorana syrica and disappearance of Salvia triloba . Crocus sativus not previously known in Jordan is being used by one woman. She was completely unaware of its medicinal or economic value.

Most of the plants used in Ajloun are well-known, safe medicinal herbs. More than 90% of people use Achillea, Matricaria and Majorana in their traditional medicine. Preparation for internal use is mainly decoction or infusion. For external use decoctions are prepared in olive oil.

The Safawi/Azraq Study Area is in the north eastern part of the country and lies within the Saharo-Arabian zone characterized by low rainfall. Plant species recorded in Safawi are considered high for a desert area — 225 species. All can withstand drought and high temperatures, some are salt-tolerant, especially those in the Qa areas. There were 31 medicinal plants identified, most are common, while 4 are rare, 1 endangered and 1 decreasing in occurrence. The Bedouin are one of three communities accessing the study area. They gather their plants as they graze their livestock and draw on indigenous knowledge and use of herbs for human and livestock healing purposes. Four species are used for treating livestock ailments.

Home gardens are common among inhabitants at Azraq. Some medicinal plants are becoming difficult to find. Various plants are reported either as rare or extinct such as Rheum palaestinum (endemic), Foeniculum vulgare and Salvia triloba. This is due to excessive collection, overgrazing and drought. Traditional health care treatments are common, so that virtually every household collects and stores its needs for the year each Spring. Many treatments are offered in the form of herbal tea.

Methods of preparation, both internal and external, are similar to those in Ajloun. Human fertility, especially in men is of great importance. Eruca sativa is widely used for the treatment of impotency.

The Mujib Nature Reserve is located in the central highlands and the southern Jordan Valley. Its western boundary lies on the Dead Sea - the lowest depression on earth at 400 m and rises to 900 m in the eastern part. The reserve covers approximately 212km2, and contains a rich biodiversity and density of species, which is attributed to its unique position. It is located in two bio-geographical zones: Irano-Turanian and Sudanian. Four different vegetation types can be found in the Reserve ranging from shrub and bush Steppe in mid to upper areas, water vegetation along wadis and springs, saline vegetation along the Dead Sea, and tropical vegetation in the southern region.

A number of communities surround and impact the Reserve. Human activities are limited depending on the reserve management plan. Grazing is one of the main land use activities, however it is confined to

61

small areas on the eastern parts of the reserve and is limited to two months in winter and two in summer. Agricultural activities occur around villages in the eastern part.

The presence of two bio-geographical zones and four vegetation types has resulted in a high plant diversity. Around 400 plant species have been identified in the area. Sixty- three medicinal plant species have been identified of which 17 are considered to be rare, endangered or at least decreasing in availability. The indigenous population is primarily Bedouin who have settled and become farmers. They have maintained their oral traditions of their experiences as livestock herders. They have provided other local people with various herbal medicines and view healthcare holistically. “What benefits animals benefits man and vice versa”. As herders they observe all plant species and use them for various ailments and infections. Women are viewed as the sole source of knowledge on the use of plants and their knowledge is viewed as a heritage and community property. Their oral history is of cultural significance and would benefit from documentation.

Women are the primary gathers of medicinal plants. They are gathered during the spring. Herbs are dried, grounded and stored in dry places in the home. Treatment is mostly free. Methods of internal and external preparation are similar to the other areas described. Inhabitants depend primarily on local plants for treatment and rarely obtain plants from herbalists in the cities. This is due to their faith in traditional medicine. There is a shortage of several species. They include: Matricaria aurea, Chrysanthemum coronarium, Melilotus indicus and Foeniculum vulgare, and shortage is attributed to the recent drought.

The Feinan/Wadi Araba Study Area is an area covering about 302km2 and is considered part of the Rift Valley in Jordan. The site lies within the Sudanian bio-geographical zone and has three vegetation types: Acacia and Sudanian Rocky; Steppe with shrubs, and bushes and sand dune also with shrubs, bushes and xerophytes.

Ten different Bedouins groups use the area and most own livestock, consisting mainly of goats. The area is one of the areas that are facing one of the greatest grazing pressures in the country. Some cooperative groups now work in agriculture, although there is a dependence upon pumped water. Nomads have inhabited the area for generations and lived through selling their livestock to maintain a subsistence lifestyle. They move down from the plateau in winter and return in summer. The community has lost its women healers “Hajat” who have not passed on their knowledge to younger generations. The decrease in livestock has also contributed to this loss of medicinal plant knowledge.

Forty-two herbs are used for medicinal purposes, three are classified as rare and one, Senecio vernalis is decreasing in abundance. Most of the plants that are being used are collected at higher elevations, possibly by shepherds or during seasonal movements by the Bedouins. Women still remain the primary collectors and users of medicinal plants particularly for the treatment of their children.

Very primitive methods for drug preparation persist. Internal use is by decoction while external is direct application and decoction. Healers rely heavily on plants that secrete latex for skin infections.

The Shaubak Study Area is located in the south of Jordan and characterized by a series of mountains ranging in elevation between 900-600 m. The study area is 258km2, and dominated by very steep slopes. The area lies within two bio-geographical zones: Mediterranean, which has the highest rainfall, the most fertile soils and richest vegetation dominated by Juniperinus phoencia and Quercus calliprinos forests, and Irano-Turanian with low rainfall, poor soils and shrubs and bushes.

There are three settlements nearby. Their land use activities include agriculture, livestock grazing and tourism. The area is rapidly expanding toward intensive cropping of apples for export. The Shaubak

62

community have attempted to plant medicinal plants and herbs in their gardens, however indigenous knowledge of their use appears to be disappearing rapidly and being replaced by modern medicine.

To date only 40 medicinal plant species have been identified, a relatively low number when compared to the total number of plant species (380) recorded in previous studies. One species is classified as endangered, 3 as rare, and 1 decreasing in abundance. Four species were identified as being in short supply during the past three years. They include: Matricaria aurea, Rheum palaestinum, Daphne linearifolia and Pistacia atlantica. Only 20 species are frequently used which in a sense signifies the abandonment of traditional healing practices due to urbanization.

A review of ailments and infections treated by medicinal plants shows that categories are similar between the five sites.

No. Ailment/Infection Patients1 Gastritis/ulcers/nausea/indigestion/parasitic infections Adults and children2 Constipation Adults and children3 Diarrhoea/dehydration Adults and children4 Skin infections/allergy Adults and children5 Eye infections Children6 Headache Adults7 Toothache Adults and children8 Wounds and cuts Adults and children9 Rheumatoid Adults

10 Jaundice Children11 Acne Women12 Diabetes Adults13 Respiratory infections/asthma Adults and children14 High blood pressure Adults15 Pre and post delivery complications Women16 Vaginal infections Women17 Contraception Women18 Increase of breast milk Women19 External ear infections Adults and children

Clearly, where practiced traditional healthcare is dominated by women “Hajat”. Whereas the traditional knowledge is alive and well in some communities it is slowly disappearing one. Bedouin communities indicate an increase in their use of medicinal plants because of their close contact with their environment and remoteness of government health clinics. Healers see themselves as owners of precious knowledge and perceive modern medicine as incapable of providing comfort to people. Such skepticism resembles a similar view among allopathic biomedical practitioners regarding herbal medicine. Child healthcare receives considerable attention from mothers and healers. Most herbs are believed to have prevention properties as well as therapeutic ones.

Interviews revealed a change in collecting patterns. Some herbs have either disappeared or become scarce due to drought, while others are being collected by urban herbalists to be sold in urban centers. Reports of collectors cutting away roots to sell for a higher price in Irbid were common. The community lacks the means of preventing such actions. Communities in all five sites identified shortages of high-demand plants, in many cases the same plants. Some that still classified as common could in the near future be considered endangered.

63

Nine species are considered at risk with limited abundance (Matricaria aurea, Salvia triloba, Artemisia judaica, Arum dioscorides, A. hygrophyllum, Pergularia tornentosa, Majorana syriaca, Crocus sativa, Rheum palaestinum). Nineteen species were considered to be still abundant and popular species and not threatened or at risk. Although it is difficult to quantify the level and exact demand at this time, the demand is subject to increase as the population increases. Future shortages are inevitable as outside collectors join local users. Efforts are needed to alert local users of their need to be part of conservation and management resources team if plants are to be available in the future.

As the optimal time for collection is spring efforts are needed to identify management and cultivation practices that allow for additional harvesting times. In addition, new harvesting and storage techniques appropriate to local conditions and cultural concerns need to be determined in collaboration with users. Scientific validation of effective traditional remedies would help give credibility to Jordan’s traditional medicine cultural heritage.

Recommendations include: More in-situ conservation and management programs for medicinal plant species including the

identification of priority species and habitats e.g. “hot spots”. Programs that directly work with communities and knowledgeable healers. Document and protect indigenous health knowledge (IPR). Integrate with national land use planning. Develop alternative sources of supply through cultivation. Establish a medicinal plant Botanical Garden and field gene bank. Promote sustainable collection guidelines. Strengthen and enforce legislation and conventions. Increase public awareness and prepare education programs extolling the value of natural

resource conservation and indigenous knowledge. Prepare a monograph of Jordan’s medicinal plants.

Medicinal and Herbal Plant Cultivation Summary

The assessment of medicinal and herbal plant cultivation focused on identifying such species that could be grown successfully under rainfed and irrigated production systems. For the most part the survey focused on high-demand spice and food crops. As many of these plants also have medicinal value, albeit limited at times. Such focus offers an opportunity to consider problems likely to be encountered in the production of threatened medicinal plant species. Consideration was given to ex-situ cultivation of the latter adjacent to the reserve sites by local communities, as well as the former by farmers, commercial growers and the pharmaceutical industry.

Jordan recently became a member of the WTO and signed the Free Trade Agreement with SUA and the EU-Jordan Partnership Agreement. This situation creates new challenges for agricultural products, which need to compete with the products of other countries in the region and international markets. This could be achieved by selecting crops in high demand that have a comparative advantage.

Jordan has limited agricultural land resources (5.7% of total area), most of it being rainfed which in most years is low and highly variable from season to season, between months within the season and year to year. Moreover, rainfed agriculture production suffers due to the size of small-holdings which constrain expanded and/or intensified cultivation and crop mechanization.

Cultivated M/H crops may be grouped accordingly:1. plants grown as vegetable crops and consumed raw in salads or cooked; and2. plants cultivated for use in food and drinks as condiments, spices, flavoring agents, beverages and

to a lesser extent as medicine.64

In the majority of examples given below medicinal plants play a limited role at this time, however opportunities for their cultivation are presented.

When considering the cultivation of M/H plants in rainfed areas certain issues need to be considered. They include: drought tolerance; practices that conserve water; appropriate water harvesting techniques; and comparative advantage of introduced crops over prevailing crops in terms of their productivity and economic return. Irrigation, while not the most cost-effective of cultivation systems, offers an alternative to rainfed where there is a high return to farmers and commercial growers from the introduction of high-demand M/H plants.

Commercial cultivation of M/H plants is a recent practice, although many rural households always have maintained home gardens. Cultivation has attempted to supply the demands of vendors, traders and users in urban centers. With increasing demand the initial sources of supply are unable to satisfy demand. Three groups and institutions are engaged in M/H cultivation.

The Noor Al-Hussein Foundation (NHF), targets women at the household level, was established in 1985 in cooperation with the General Federation of Jordanian Women (GFJW) in Irbid. Its primary objective being to enable women to use home gardens and exploit abandoned lands into market gardens for aromatic and medicinal plants including oregano, sage, and chamomile. In 1989, the Medicinal Herbs Agri-Enterprises Project was established to train women how to cultivate, harvest, process, package and market their herbs. A micro-credit program provides the financial means (at low interest) for women to establish such home enterprises. To date six villages are participating where 350 women have received technical training and in which 1800 have indirectly benefited.

NCARTTs experience in herbal (with medicinal value) cultivation started in 1996 with the Initiative to Combat Desertification. Herbal plants were identified that could contribute to the control of natural resource degradation, and where applicable, to restore productivity. This involved the identification of in-situ species and their ex-situ cultivation by farmers. Research trials and demonstrations were conducted to test and verify the suitability of cultivation and management practices for the most promising herbal species. The demonstrations were also used for training and technology transfer purposes. A best-bet practice package was developed for 6 herb field crops (cumin, black cumin, anise, caraway and fennel). Between 1997/98 to 2001/02 the land under cultivation increased from 4ha to 243 ha, farmer participation rose from 5 to 19 and average area per crop/farmer increased from 2 to 4ha. No production figures are available.

Farmers’ experience is based on interviews with 52 farmers (49 men and 11 women) in six governorates (Irbid, Mafraq and Ajloun in the north; Amman and Mabada in the center; and Karak in the south). The majority of farmers who cultivate herbal plants are concentrated in libid (29%), Amman (27%) and Karak (19%) all areas that receive high rainfall, have irrigation sources and active farming communities. These three areas benefit from the NHF and the Hashemite Fund for Social Development (HFSD). The majority of farmers own their land, although 50% farm less than 0.2ha. The area devoted to herbal plants ranging from 0.1 ha to more than 5 ha. Herbal production represents a major source of income for 40% of farming families, and 60% as a secondary income source. The farmers (85%) maintained that cultivation of herbal plants is economically feasible and 70% were willing to increase production. It is assumed that farmers, if given proof, would also be interested in cultivating medicinal plants

The number of herbal plants currently being cultivated is relatively small. In 2000 7 crops were cultivated on 337 ha with garlic occupying 50% of the land and parsley 39%. Plants cultivated for their medicinal and herbal properties are also relatively small -10. Both categories rely primarily on irrigation. In low rainfall areas water harvesting offers opportunities for cultivation and added income. (EU supported study) Herbal species (e.g. oregano, sage and mint) with high water requirements that cannot be met by

65

rainfall alone and plants (e.g. medicinal) adapted to marginal, low rainfall areas would benefit from water harvesting.

A number of M/H species present in Jordan, but under commercial production in other countries, could be commercially cultivated. Some of these are wild.

M/H plant species indigenous to Jordan that have cultivation potential may be grouped into three categories: trees; shrubs; and annual/perennial herbaceous species.

Tree species are adapted to a range of mountainous and wadi areas where rainfall is sufficient. The medicinal properties of the trees have not been fully exploited, even though local people collect parts (bark, root, leaves, fruit, seed) for healthcare needs, or as dyes and culinary purposes. Reintroducing them in all parts of their natural habitat(s) will help combat land degradation processes (wind and water erosion). Ceratonia siliqua, Moringa peregrina, Salvadora persica, and Zizpuhus spina-christi are trees that should be considered because of tolerance to drought conditions.

Shrubs are generally well adapted to the drier areas, those receiving less than 200mm annually. As most economically important commercial crops cannot be grown under such conditions without irrigation medicinal shrubs are good candidates for cultivation trials. Achillea fragrantissima, Aihaji maurorum, Capparis spinosa, Cassia acutWolia, Lavendula officinalis, Myrtus communis, Teucrium polium, and Peganum harmala are four commonly collected species with medicinal properties. P. harmala is not palatable to animals, it is widely distributed in the desert and steppe regions. It is drought tolerant and can grow in a number of dry habitats.

Annual and perennial herbs contain many plant species that have medicinal properties and lend themselves to cultivation. They include the following that are also identified in the M/H inventory: Ammi visnaga, Anchusa strigosa, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Citrullis colocynthis, Ecballium elaterium, Gundelia tournefortii, Paronychia argand impoentea, Pergularia tomentosa, Ruta chalepensis, Teucrium polium, Urginea maritima, and Urtica pilulifera. Most of these species could be cultivated under a range of environmental conditions. Citrullis colocynthis tolerates high temperatures, salinity and low soil pH and could cultivated on marginal lands. Capsella bursa-pastoris could do well in poor soils - stony, shallow. Urtica pilulifera can be grown in high moisture soils, humid shaded areas. Cultivation potential of Gundelia tournefortii is presently on-going regarding management properties.

Target areas for cultivation trials with emphasis on rainfed sites include: the sub-tropical environments of the Jordan Valley slopes and the temperate highlands. High rainfall areas with land slopes less than 9% are deemed more suitable for annual species cultivation. High rainfall areas with slopes less than 9% for trees and shrubs, drier areas receiving low rainfall and where water harvesting favors trees and herbaceous species.

Monographs for seventy six species are included identifying botanical description, ecology, distribution, biodiversity status, chemical constituents, parts collected, medicinal and herb usage, cultivation, propagation, general comments.

66

Conclusions and Recommendations

The pharmaceutical and essential oil properties of the M/H plants are important for industrial purposes and marketing. Cultivation practices including: planting and harvesting times, intra- and inter-specific competition, light shade, moisture, etc. can affect such properties. Little work to date has been carried out in Jordan on this subject, however information is available in the literature from other countries. Information is provided in the study document regarding agronomy, irrigation, fertilizer and light requirements for selected M/H plant species.

Research and technology transfer needs are considerable. At present it is restricted to the Ministry of Agriculture through NCARTT, NHF and individual enterprising farmers (men and women) who see the potential to diversify the cropping systems and generate additional income. There is an urgent need for intensive, systematic research to identify sustainable cultivation practices for optimum production. Success will be enhanced by good research and technology transfer. Collaboration at the community, national and international levels will be essential to the success of the cultivation phase of the project. Activities that need to be addressed include: crop adaptation, management, integrated pest management, tissue culture, crop improvement, hybridization, organic farming, post harvest operations, use of treated waste water, salinity toleration, drought tolerance, water use efficiency, etc.

In order for the public and private sectors to effectively play their roles in this activity there is a need for adequate infrastructure and qualified human resources. NCARTT will lead the way with its network of regional research stations, and with considerable support from the University Faculties of Agriculture. Specific activities related to medicinal plants will require consultation and interaction with international institutes and researchers particularly in the areas of: genebank establishment, seed and seedlings propagation, applied research, etc.

While the area planted to M/H plants is small (>340 ha) and under irrigation there are opportunities for rainfed and irrigation cultivation. At present, Jordan imports large quantities of M/H plants in dry form as seeds, leaves, roots and rhizomes. It is concluded that these quantities can be produced locally, if sustainable cultivation practices can be implemented. A recent study concluded that approximately 1200 ha would be required to produce the eight high-demand consumed herbal crops. Such an area can be provided through efficient use of rainfed lands and water harvesting. The potential for intercropping with already established crops offers opportunities for better land use, management and income generation. Water use needs to be critically examined and evaluated if production is to be sustained.

The role of women is essential if viable cultivation practices are to researched and implemented. Women have considerable knowledge regarding the sources of wild species, their ecology, good harvesting practices and use and should be involved at all stages of the development and implementation process. They have already shown their abilities to utilize micro-credit to establish small household income generating activities by cultivating high-demand herbal species. Their participation in all aspects of M/H cultivation is essential to project success and sustainability.

67

Annex 6: Global Importance of Medicinal and Herbal PlantsJORDAN: Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants Project

Jordan’s unique geographical location results in a diversity of climate, geology and topography. There are four different bio-geographical zones: Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian, Saharo-Arabian, and Sudanian. Within these diverse zones there are 13 different vegetation types each with many different floral and faunal elements. For the medicinal plant inventory five sites were selected representing the four bio-geographic zones and 10 of the vegetation types. The estimated area of the sites is 1460 km 2, 1.5% of Jordan’s total land mass.

Under the proposed project two types of area are considered: nature reserves and “hot spots”. Both are being increasingly impacted by local residents and urban collectors of medicinal and herbal plants. There are an estimated 2500 plant species in Jordan (2.5% endemic) of which 485 species are categorized as medicinal. Under the PDF-B Grant five study sites were inventoried and 900 species were identified (36% of the floral), of which 94 were medicinal (19% of the medicinal flora). Of this number 65 species are readily found (common), three endangered, five rare, eight decreasing in abundance and one species endemic and rare (Rheum palaestinum). Twelve species were identified as introduced, however the locals depend mainly on native species for health needs.

In the inventory, fifteen species present in one or more of the five sites were considered at risk. In particular, Matricaria aurea (decreasing) and Rheum palaestinum (endemic and rare) were considered at greatest risk because of their high demand at four or more sites (Table 1). An additional three species were classified as endangered: Mentha longifolia, Moringa peregrina, Salvadora persica. None of these species were found in the RSCN study sites. It is believed that many decreasing species will be endangered if collecting pressure and habitat degradation continue unregulated It is believed that many decreasing species will be endangered if collecting pressure and habitat degradation continues unregulated e.g. Nasturtium officinale, and different Arum species (A.paIaestinum, ,A.dioscorides and A.hygrophyllum).

Table 1. Limited distribution and abundance of medicinal plant species at risk

Species Ajloun Safawi Mujib Wadi Araba Shaubak FMatricaria aurea D/+ D/+/S D/+ D/+/S D/+/S 5Salvia triloba 1Artemisia judaica R/+ R/+ 2Arum dioscorides D/+ 1Arum hygrophyllum D/+ 1Pergularia tomentosa R/+ 1Majorana syriaca D/+/S D/+ D/+ 3Crocus sativa (+/?) 1Rheum palaestinum R/+/S R/+ R/+/S R/+/S 4Foeniculum vulgare R/+/S R/+/S 2Chryanthemurn coronariurn R/+/S 1Melilotus indicus +/S 1Senecio vernalis S/+ 1Daphne linearifocia +/S 1Pistacia atlantica +/S 1D - decreasing; R - rare; S - shortage; + - local use; ? - unknown in region but use identified, F - frequency

68

Crocus sativa had not been confirmed in Jordan until the inventory, but was frequently mentioned in Ajloun. Samples of C. sativa collected and stored in the home by an elderly woman confirmed its presence and use.

Limited distribution at one site might not necessarily imply high risk. However, if local people who know the sources, collect such plants, and rely on them for free health care needs report increasing difficulty in finding them then their future sustainability should be considered at risk. Their loss as a component of Jordan’s biodiversity must be considered of global significance. For example, the Aleppo Pine Forest reaches its southern limit in Jordan. The loss of forest co-habitants can have a detrimental affect on the forest itself. Therefore species management strategies that regulate harvesting should be an important component of Aleppo Pine conservation. Salvadora persica, a high-demand species with teeth cleaning properties is at its northern limit at Fifa near the southern end of the Dead Sea. Simultaneously, the increasing demand on other medicinal plant species in other vegetation types means that any actions taken to manage harvesting and/or seek alternative means of production (cultivation) would help to preserve Jordan’s medicinal plant biodiversity.

A visit to the Noor Al Hussein Foundation (NHF) Quality of Life project at village of Um Qais, Irbid Governerate afforded an opportunity to hear from an elderly woman of commonly used high demand medicinal plants that are increasingly difficult to find. The project’s field supervisor visited two other villages to obtain from knowledgeable women what medicinal plants they were having difficulty finding. Table 2 lists such plants and compares the listing with RSCN’s inventory.

Table 2. Medicinal plant species collected by women for home healthcare needs

Species Um Qais Libb Al Amir FrequencyMatricaria aurea D + + +/S 3Paronychia argentea C + + +/S 3Peganum harmala C +/S +/S 2Malabaila secacul NI +/S +/S +/S 3Gundelia tourneforti NI +/S +/S + 3Retama raetam C + + + 3Malva sylvestrus NI +/S + ± 3Urtica pilulifera C + + + 3Salvia hierosolimitana NI + + 2Cyclamen persicum E + + 2Arum discorides NI +/S + 2Crambe orientalis NI +/S + +/S 3Thymus capitata NI +/S +/S 2Achillea membranacea NI S + + 3Foeniculum vulgare R +/S +/S 2Globuhania arabica NI +/S +/S +/S 3

NI/+— not included in RSCN inventory; C — common; D — decreasing; E — endangered; R — rare. S - shortage

Matricaria aurea is identified by RSCN as a species whose abundance is decreasing. Perhaps its declining presence in areas surrounding these three villages is an indication that it be considered an endangered species in Jordan. It was at the Um Qais meeting that two elderly men pointed out that while the young adults seek allopathic medicines and treatments the older men and women continue to demand and use the traditional herbal remedies. Mothers in rural homes depend on such medicines because they are valued as effective and free, as well as being culturally acceptable.

69

While the PDF B Grant inventory and socio-economic surveys provided important information regarding the growing threat to medicinal plants presence a great deal more information can be obtained through a more comprehensive country-wide botanical survey. In addition, a comprehensive survey of indigenous collectors and users, plus the demand by urban traders and users would help identify specific needed actions regarding the conservation, management and sustainable use of medicinal and herbal plants in Jordan. Actions that are understood and supported by the public and private sectors.

Species diversity and indigenous knowledge of their ecology, harvesting and use, are important components of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) as defined under Article 8(j). Jordan has an increasing number of medicinal plant species whose future survival is currently threatened. Enhancing their survival can be accomplished by including rural women into the decision-making process. This can be achieved if donors recognize that such plants are not only a source of free health care to families, but also of income. As small as that income may be, it can be an incentive to protect the resource-base and make a valuable contribution the conservation of global biodiversity.

In Jordan, medicinal plants and their products are used for a wide range of ailments, infections and diseases, especially by the Bedouin and rural residents. It is estimated that more than 60% of the population still relies on herbal medicine, this is especially so for the infants and elderly.

70

Annex 7: Role of Women in the Management and Sustainable Use of M I H Plants in Jordan

JORDAN: Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants Project

Women in Jordan, as in most other developing countries, play an important role in the management and sustainable use of medicinal plants. They are the primary sources of home healthcare and depend on their knowledge of wild sources of medicinal plants and ability to maintain high-use species in home gardens. In many households, they are actively engaged in livestock herding and consequently must administer health care to their animals when sick. Accessing this human and livestock healthcare knowledge-base is critical to the success of the Jordan Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants Project.

Traditional Use

In rural communities the women are traditionally involved in farming and collecting medicinal plants from the wild, as well as cultivating them on family lands. This activity is divided into two periods. The spring season, March to the end of May, is the primary season for collecting, drying, preparing for home use and/or selling, and the fall season when cash crops are harvested and sold. Consequently women spend half their lives in direct contact with nature, both as farmers and as caretakers of livestock.

Traditional health care knowledge is held by the older women “Hajat”. Accordingly, old women diagnosis and treat ailments and infections, and treatment is generally free. The “Hajat” are also midwives who have acquired their knowledge through individual experience. No information is available regarding the total number of “Hajats” in the country or number of people treated. Neither is there any information regarding the number of home deliveries by the midwives. Such information would be very useful in planning future activities and linking to health and agricultural programs. We have no information regarding the number of government health clinics in rural areas and what if any communication there is between traditional healers and modern health practitioners vis-a-vis referrals, etc.

In communities and environments where traditional livestock herding prevails women are the primary collectors and users of medicinal plants. However, where there has been a shift away from livestock herding to sedentary farming communities are losing this knowledge. The older women are not passing on their knowledge to younger generations since the women are spending less time on the hills because of fewer livestock.

In some instances where agricultural activities are increasing the older knowledgeable women are intercropping medicinal plants with their food crops. Herbs are collected when mature, dried and stored in boxes for home use. Generally, they do not have better means for storage. The medicinal and herbal plant inventory team had considerable difficulty in some communities obtaining information because of the secretive nature of traditional health care. An inventory of “Hajats” in Jordan and the documentation of their knowledge both of plants and uses would be extremely valuable. It would provide important information on the distribution and sustainability of supply of medicinal plants. And particularly of plants whose future existence might be in doubt. Regardless of the doubts by biomedical practitioners of its validity, it still remains a viable, effective, cultural acceptable form of health care that needs to documented and where scientifically proven valid to be formally included in Primary Health Care Policy.

Cultivation

Where small fanners are becoming engaged in medicinal and herbal plant cultivation and intercropping with food and other crops women are playing and important role. However, it is the men who appear to play the dominant role. It is expected that the basic knowledge most women have of medicinal plants as a

71

source of effective health care and income would form the foundation of their inclusion in new cultivation practices.

NCARTT’s activities in the conservation of medicinal and herbal plants project focus on improving the cultivation of such plants as a source of income for investors, and farmers, especially women. In a review of activities, there is only limited information regarding how women are involved and how their knowledge is being used to advantage. Of the 52 farmers visited under the CMHPP survey only 11 were women. It is assumed that the women were in families and contributed their labor and knowledge to the success of their labors. Medicinal plant production represented 40% of the sampled farms and 60% as a secondary income source. Exactly what role women play in this small farm production is not known. Future surveys and collaborative actions should build on this knowledge base as the farmers indicated that sustainable cultivation is achievable and economically feasible.

The Noor Al-Hussein Foundation (NHF) through its Medicinal Herbs Agri-Enterprise Project is probably the most actively involved NGO in introducing and expanding medicinal and herbal plant cultivation at the household level that is specifically targeting women. The project started in 1989 with its objective to integrate and enhance participation by women in rural development, create employment, increase family incomes in rural areas, and empower women to become decision-makers in their families and communities.

Launched in six villages in northern Jordan with technical support from the Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) the project has provided training for 56 women to plant and supervise herbal gardens and to process, package and market their products. Currently, oregano is planted in 20 villages in the Bani-Kinaneh district, benefiting 350 women, earning an average monthly income of 100 JD per 0.1 ha. In just over a year the project has produced an equivalent of 10% of Jordan’s imports of oregano. A healthy sign for the future.

Project activities include the establishment and running of nurseries for community needs and as a source of training in plant propagation. The micro-credit scheme extends loans to women with land and willingness to establish their own enterprises. Credit is in the form of seedlings, irrigation, water tanks and fertilizers. Loan repayment is at the 95% level.

The knowledge base and entrepreneurial initiatives of the women have provided opportunities for production of soaps utilizing the medicinal oils of home cultivated herbal crops. While production is still in the experimental stage, the opportunities are well recognized by the women and NHF. Lessons learned include: the positive response by women; opportunities seen to gain additional income based on high-demand medicinal and herb plant production; and credit is good when loans are repaid. Income generated by the project has a direct impact on the family standard of living. Women are able to manage successfully a credit fund. They are quick to learn and apply new techniques in their cultivation plots.

Conclusion

Knowledge of wild sources of medicinal and herbal plants is held almost exclusively by women, in particular the “Hajat”. This knowledge is disappearing due to declining livestock farming and increase in cultivation. A program that focuses on documenting this knowledge should have top priority. Few women appear to be actively involved at the large scale farm or commercial production level of medicinal and herbal plants. However, if success at the small scale level, as developed through the NHF, is any indication cultivation practices will be identified for additional medicinal and herbal plants e.g. chamomile, mints, anise, cumin, etc. At the same time, new opportunities for processing and marketing of products will be identified. The women have prospects for providing for the needs of their own communities, urban shops and hotels, and the tourist market. Such activities provide much needed income

72

and when taken together across the country contribute substantial to the national economy. Women are an important source of knowledge in developing conservation and management strategies for medicinal and herbal plants, plus labor in the formal establishment of cultivation within mulitcropping systems and creating and developing new marketing channels for products.

73

Annex 8: “Hot Spots” and M I H Plant Sustainable Use at the Home Level.

JORDAN: Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants Project

Introduction

“Hot Spots” are defined as areas of indefinite size where the biodiversity is under increasing threat due to human activity, land degradation and environmental anomalies. In Jordan human activity will include the harvesting, by women, of medicinal plants that are a source of accessible and affordable home health care The project would delimit “hot spots” whose species are endangered, and with the cooperation of medicinal plant collectors identify conservation and management strategies and plans of action to protect such sites. It is proposed that the Noor Al Hussein Foundation (NHF) be the lead agency in this project based on the success of its Quality of Life (QOL) program, and in particular the Medicinal Herbs Agri-Enterprises Project (MHAEP).

Background

The MHAEP was established in 1989 to integrate women in rural development, create employment, turn home gardens into enterprises, preserve medicinal and aromatic plants, and to ensure women as decision makers. The preliminary target site was Bani Kinanah in cooperation with the local community and several Jordanian universities. To date, 440 women have received technical training under the project and another 1800 indirectly benefited. Simultaneously, the quality of life of women has been improved, they have become decision-makers, established their own enterprises and contributed to the protection of Jordan’s biodiversity.

As reported in the Jordan Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants Project preparation documents women are probably the most knowledgeable of the wild sources of medicinal plants (Hajat), the supply and their use in the home. Such knowledge offers an opportunity to expand the MHAEP, and to link “hot spots” with appropriate communities in other regions of the country. Thereby building upon the indigenous knowledge of women regarding conservation and management of in-situ sources of medicinal plants, cultivation where possible, and importantly documentation of their traditional use in home health care.

Table 1 identifies sixteen high-demand medicinal plant species collected for home health care needs in three communities (Um Qais, Libb, Al Rabbe). The majority of these species are used by the three communities and are becoming increasingly difficult to find. However, more than half of them have not been identified by RSCN as species of medicinal value which indicates there is much work needed to complete a Jordanian inventory of its medicinal plants. A number of the thirty four communities NHF is working with are in close proximity to the eighteen “hot spots” identified by RSCN, WWF and IUCN. For example, in the Jerash area the Aleppo Pine forest reaches its southern limit and therefore is of global significance. Women gathering medicinal plants in such forest habitats can contribute to the Aleppo Pine conservation. Similarly, the northern limit of Salvadora persica, a species in high-demand as a tooth stick, is at its northern limit close to Fifa just south of the Dead Sea.

Objectives

This sub-component will support studies to: (i) inventory flora and fauna and define the boundaries of twelve (12) “hot spots” in collaboration with RSCN, NCARTT and other knowledgeable parties; (ii) assess the supply and demand of medicinal plants currently used by women for day-to-day health care needs in the home; (ii) assess the sustainability of the wild supply; (iii) classify their status as to rare, endangered, or decreasing and significance to Jordan’s biodiversity; (iv) identify guidelines for the sustainable harvesting of wild individuals where cultivation is not possible; and (v) establish methods for

74

propagation and cultivation of selected medicinal plant species, where possible, in home gardens, in degraded habitats to take pressure off the “hot spot” and provide an additional source of income. Achieving such objectives would give women a greater opportunity to develop their knowledge-base and play a greater role in resource conservation and management and supplement present income generation activities.

Actions

The degradation of arable lands, overgrazing, urbanization and industrialization have lead to arable land expansion that have resulted in serious threats to M/H species natural habitats. Home and field surveys would be carried out to determine pressures on wild populations and habitats at selected community sites to better understand community dependence on medicinal plants for human and livestock healthcare and as a source of income.

Another activity supported by the project would be ex-situ conservation and cultivation of medicinal plant species by communities in nurseries. Such nurseries maintained by women would be a source of high-demand species as they are the first source of healthcare in the rural communities. Suitable land and basic water needs would be sought from the Jordan Valley Authority. Within a community the micro-environments of home gardens and selected agricultural sites contain high levels of species: medicinal, herbs, spices and farmer crop varieties of health and nutritional value. The nurseries also would be points of experimentation, introduction of new varieties and/or species and genetic diversity as a result of plant (germplasm) exchange and supported by social-cultural diversity. In addition, they would be a source of supply for women wishing to expand medicinal plant home gardens or to establish large income generating agricultural plots.

Outputs Biodiversity documentation of selected “hot spots”. In -situ conservation and management programs identified that reflect community needs and CBD

objectives vis-a-vis the protection of biodiversity and indigenous knowledge. Ex-situ cultivation programs established in home gardens, degraded lands and farms that

reduce the pressure on wild sources in collaboration with communities (women), NCARTTand the pharmaceutical industry.

New source(s) of income generation for women. Strengthening public and private sector collaboration. Contributing to Jordan’s education and public awareness programs for resource management.

The project would build upon the existing knowledge of women by documenting species and proposing ways to address sustainability concerns within conservation, management and sustainable use component. The project would support the following items: consultant services in socio-economic surveys of home use and medicinal plant inventories; identification of sustainable harvesting guidelines for in-situ high-demand medicinal plant species; consultant services in collaboration with women in the identification of sustainable agricultural

practices, selection of medicinal plants for cultivation, training extension officers in collaboration with NCARTT, USDA, pharmaceutical industry;

community and leader awareness raising and education campaigns; nursery establishment and management; goods (cutlasses, water containers, etc.) and material inputs (fencing, seeds and other planting

materials, etc.) for cultivation; incremental allowances for field staff travel; and incremental allowances for operating expenses.

75

Outputs Biodiversity documentation of selected “hot spots”. In-situ conservation and management programs identified that reflect community needs and CBD

objectives vis-a-vis the protection of biodiversity and indigenous knowledge. Ex-situ cultivation programs established in home gardens, degraded lands and farms that reduce the

pressure on wild sources in collaboration with communities (women), NCARTT and the pharmaceutical industry.

New source(s) of income generation for women. Strengthening public and private sector collaboration. Contributing to Jordan’s education and public awareness programs for resource management.

Budget12 “Hot spot” Surveys 36,000 FY24 communities ($3,OOOea. /year) 216,000 FY2-4Travel by field supervisor 15,000 FY 1-SOperating costs 25,000 FY 1-5Incremental 20,000 FY 1-5

Total US$312,000

Education and Public Awareness Component to include this component in its budget.

76

Annex

Table 1. Medicinal plant species collected by women for home healthcare needs

Species Um Qais Libb Al Amir FrequencyMatricaria aurea D + + +/S 3Paronychia argentea C + + +/S 3Peganum harmala C +/S +/S 2Malabaila secacul NI +/S +/S +/S 3Gundelia tourneforti NI +/S +/S + 3Retama raetam C + + + 3Malva sylvestrus NI +/S + + 3Urtica pilulifera C + + + 3Salvia hierosolimitana NI + + 2Cyclamen persicum E + + 2Arum discorides NI +/S + 2Crambe orientalis NI +/S + +/S 3Thymus capitata NI +/S +/S 2Achillea membranacea NI +/S + + 3Foeniculum vulgare R +/S +/S 2Globuhania arabica NI +/S +/S +/S 3NI — not included in RSCN inventory; C — common; D — decreasing; E — endangered; R — rare.

77

Annex 9: Essential Oils-Their potential importance to Jordan.JORDAN: Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants Project

Essential oils play an important role in the daily lives of Jordanians. They are used medicinally in the home, by the pharmaceutical industry and for cooking, perfumes and cosmetics. Their true economic value has yet to be objectively determined and where possible more fully developed. The Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants Project has carried out a cursory review of the importance of essential oils, but there is more to document. The following summarizes the information obtained to date.

Traditional Health Care

For home health purposes the use of herbal medicines depends, in many situations, on the combination of one or more plants to treat a condition. The way these plants are combined is usually manually without taking into account the pharmacological or physical incompatibilities. However, the method invariably depends on preparing a decoction in olive oil, sesame oil, or any available vegetable oil. As the olive tree is present in many parts of the country the use of it in folk medicine and in the preparation of dosages in very common. Almost all external and many internal remedies prepared from medicinal plants are prepared in olive oil. Moreover, olive oil is widely used and recommended as a first aid to treat all poisoning cases for human and livestock. For example, in the treatment of burns; Alkanna strigosa, boric acid, vaseline, sesame oil and olive oil are mixed and applied both at home and can be purchased commercially.

Table 1. Plants with essential and volatile oils of medicinal value

Scientific Name Active Compound Scientific Evidence Local EvidenceAchillea falcate Volatile oils Carminative, depurative

Stornachache antispasmodicDepurative,Carminative Stornachache antispasmodic

Matricaria aure Volatile oils Epigastic bloating. Infusions flowers used for restlessnessExternal inflammation and skin irritation, mucosa and Hemarrhoids

Antispasmodic, analgesic, antipyretic, anti-cough, influenza, asthma, eye infections

Moringa peregrina Essential oils None Pain killerMajorana syriaca Volatile oils Carminative, pectoral,

antitussive and stomachicCarminative, pectorea, antitussive, aperative stomachic, calminative

Ruta chalepensis Essential oils Head lice and hair tonic Leaf — sudorific, antispasmodic, antidiabetes. Scorpion bites

Olea europaea Fixed oil Edible, hyper-chloesterolirna anti-hypertension, antioxidant

Laxative. Hypertension Livestock poisoning

Salvia triloba Essential oils Anti-spasmodic, astingent, anti-dandruff

Antispasmodic

Cyperus rotundus Essential oils None Hair depilatorFoeniculurn vulagare Essential oils Renal secretion, anti-

spasmodic, anti-flatulenceAnti-spasmodic, anti-flatulence

Carthanus tinctora Volatile oils Dye, oil Child flatulenceEucalyptus camaldulensis

Volatile oils Anti-septic, anti-decongeestant, bronchial infections

Toothache

Coriandrum sativum Volatile oils Renal secretion of water, anti-spasmodic, anti-flatulence

Nausea

The traditional medicinal values of the essential and volatile oils, except in two cases, are supported by scientific evidence. In numerous instances identified above the traditional and allopathic treatments are similar for the same ailments and infections, which suggests that there is a valid basis to traditional

78

diagnosis. As in other developing countries where similar projects are being developed and implemented the collaboration between traditional and biomedical practitioners is strongly encouraged. Such collaboration offers opportunities to raise the quality and safety of healthcare available to rural residents, especially children of the rural poor.

Cultivation

The cultivation assessment produced seventy-six monographs of medicinal and herbal plants. The monographs gave a general botanical description and identified each species’ ecology, distribution, chemical constituents, parts used, folk uses, propagation, method of cultivation, cultivar (where appropriate), harvesting, yield, extraction where known.

There are a number of essential oil species that are already being cultivated in Jordan, but only two (mint and Jojoba) have an detailed information (see following Socio-economic Survey). Many of the plant products used in culinary activities are preferred in the raw or dried form. Oil forms are more expensive and less in demand. Perfumery and cosmetic products are generally oil-based and this offers opportunities for farmers and commercial interests to provide products to processors and consumers. For example, Jasminum officinalis, Lavendula officinalis, Mytus communis, Narcissus tazatta, Ocirnum basilicum, Rosa spp. and Rosmarinus officinalis are species that have a global demand.

Essential oil plants of medicinal value offer income generating opportunities for small farmers, as well as the women collectors. Cultivation will take the pressure off wild stocks (germplasm) and with scientific validation of effective traditional remedies offer a greater array of accessible and affordable medicines that are culturally acceptable to all Jordanians. The increasing demand by Europe and North America for natural products and supplements is putting pressure on developing countries. Unscrupulous buyers are not concerned about maintaining Jordan’s biodiversity, but only product volume. Therefore Jordan must be careful in what it selects to cultivate. Because cultivation is restricted to few areas due to poor soils and inadequate water species selection becomes more critical.

A detailed study is required that determines Jordan’s internal needs, land use capacity, agronomic know how, ability to sustain supply and costs/benefits. Between health, food, culinary and cosmetic demands there are numerous options to be pursued that could be both environmentally sustainable and economically beneficial.

Socio-Economic Survey

Oils in general, essential, aromatic, volatile, etc., are in increasing demand in Europe. Most of these oils are imported in the form of extracted oils to be used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industries. Imports of oils of mints by the EU were similar to those of medicinal and aromatic plants. Volumes of oils of mints increased by 120% from 1100mt to 2350mt between 1993 and 1999. The major suppliers were India, China, USA and the UK with India the dominant supplier. India’s dominance in the production of oils of mint is seen in its total production – 4,207 mt in 1999. Export is not the only aspect, but has to be linked to a profitable return to the producer. While India exports the most oils of mint it is the USA’s product that demands the highest price.

Jojoba is a high-demand wax (oil) in the USA where it commands a high price in the cosmetics and hair care products. As m any as 300 products containing Jojoba are available to the consumer. It is also an important low-calorie oil as it contains no cholesterol or triglycerides. The import demand trends in the EU are similar to the oils of mints. Volumes doubled between 1993 and 1999. France is the main supplier to the EU followed by Argentina, Mexico and the UK. The highest price paid being 10,800ECU/mt. It has been grown in Jordan, however, an efficient, high quality oil extraction process is not available. This could be a major barrier to scaling up cultivation in Jordan and competing successfully in the EU.

79

Conclusion

Quality is the key element and must be the primary concern of Jordanian producers. This will require an in-depth review of other country raw products, their cultivation, pre- and post-harvesting and processing technologies, and packaging and marketing techniques. Followed by a review of which oil-based plants would provide Jordan with high quality products and what are their production needs. There will be little return for Jordan if it supplies only raw materials. It must seek added-value to producers in Jordan. Such actions will offer opportunities to compete in the global market, as well as supply in-country needs and the tourist industry. The latter market, for example, would be able to produce soaps and cosmetics with locally produced aromatic oils to enhance their value and attraction.

Recommendations

In-depth review of European and North American essential/aromatic oil market demands.In-depth review of Jordan’s local and tourist market potential.Assess quality of Jordan’s oil products and comparative advantage.Select competitive species.Determine cultivation needs, costs and benefits to producers.Determine added-value processes possible in Jordan.Determine if it is environmentally sustainable and economically profitable.Determine when Jordan could competitively enter the essential/aromatic oil market.

80